Early Release Schemes Lead to Surge in Prison Recalls

Over 13,000 inmates were released early under Conservative and Labour schemes, contributing to a 44% increase in recalls.

Between April and June 2024, 9,782 offenders were recalled to custody for breaching release conditions, marking a record high.
The End of Custody Supervised Licence (ECSL) scheme, implemented by the previous Conservative government, released prisoners up to 70 days early.
Labour's new early release program, allowing release after 40% of a sentence, continues to address prison overcrowding.
Critics highlight the pressure on the justice system, with probation services facing increased workloads and risk-averse practices.
Prison overcrowding persists, with the male estate at 97% capacity, alongside rising incidents of self-harm and staff assaults.