Early Release Scheme Risks Freeing Serious Offenders, Whistleblowers Warn

Concerns raised over loopholes allowing early release of inmates with consecutive sentences for lesser crimes

Justice Secretary announced plan to reduce sentence proportion from 50% to 40% due to prison overcrowding.
Scheme, SDS40, set to release 5,500 offenders, excluding those convicted of severe crimes.
Whistleblowers report potential early release of serious offenders due to policy loopholes.
Prison population in England and Wales hits record high, forcing government action.
Ministry of Justice aims to recruit over 1,000 new probation officers by March 2025.