Prison Population Drops by Over 2,000 Amid Early Release Scheme

The UK government releases thousands of inmates to address overcrowding, sparking safety and rehabilitation concerns.

The prison population in England and Wales decreased by 2,188 in one week, from 88,521 to 86,333.
Around 1,750 prisoners were released early after serving 40% of their sentences, instead of the usual 50%.
The early release scheme excludes serious offenders, including those convicted of violent crimes, sex offenses, and domestic abuse.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood defended the scheme, citing an inherited overcrowding crisis from the previous government.
Concerns have been raised about the safety and rehabilitation of released inmates, with warnings of potential risks to public safety and increased strain on probation services.