2nd batch of UK prisoners released early to reduce overcrowding

Around 1,000 prisoners in the UK are set to be released early on Tuesday as part of a government plan to reduce overcrowding in jails, reported Xinhua.

This is the second batch of prisoners freed under the early-release policy, following the release of about 1,700 prisoners serving sentences of less than five years on September 10.

Although this policy excludes individuals convicted of certain offenses, including sexual and violent crimes, domestic abuse, terrorism, and national security crimes, 37 ineligible prisoners were found to have been erroneously released in the first tranche.

Those released on Tuesday will be prisoners serving sentences of five years or more, who are now eligible for release on license after serving 40 percent of their sentence, down from the usual 50 percent.

Tuesday's releases came as an independent review into sentencing was launched by the UK's Ministry of Justice to address the prison crisis.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that the Labour government has "inherited prisons in crisis, within days of collapse" from the last government. She added that, along with the government's commitment to build 14,000 extra prison spaces, this new review "will ensure we never again have more prisoners than prison spaces."

According to the Ministry of Justice, although the prison population in the UK has roughly doubled in the last 30 years, only 500 places were added to the country's stock of jail cells in the last 14 of those years.

"Clearly, our prisons are not working," said David Gauke, former justice secretary who is chairing the sentencing review, adding that the review will look at "what punishment and rehabilitation should look like in the 21st century."

The review will not only make sure that prisons punish serious offenders, but will also explore tougher alternative punishments outside of prison custody.

These alternatives may include using "nudge" technology, sobriety tags and home detention curfews to place criminals in a "prison outside prison," as well as forcing offenders to do hard work in the community.

The findings of the review will be submitted in full by Spring 2025.