Rapists and child sex offenders to be barred from early release scheme
The UK government has announced that prisoners convicted of rape and serious child sex offenses will be excluded from the upcoming early release scheme. This decision follows public backlash and concerns regarding the safety of victims.
Why it matters
The policy adjustment highlights the tension between managing prison overcrowding and maintaining public trust in the justice system.
Image source, PA Media By Olivia Ireland and Sima Kotecha , Senior UK Correspondent Published 3 August 2026, 22:30 BST Updated 8 minutes ago Prisoners who committed rape, grooming, and serious child sex offences will be excluded from the forthcoming early release scheme for England and Wales, the government has said.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham paused plans to release some prisoners in September as part of a bid to stop unprecedented prison overcrowding after backlash from survivors and victims. The scheme will now restart in October.
Burnham said he "wanted to go even further", but that would not possible without the prison system collapsing and putting the public "at much greater risk".
Lissie Harper, the widow of police officer Andrew Harper, said it was "disgusting" that his killers could be eligible for early release.
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