UK Government to Release Thousands of Prisoners Early to Ease Overcrowding

Justice Secretary warns of imminent collapse of prison system without emergency measures reducing sentences to 40% served.

• Over 10,000 prisoners have already been released under previous schemes but overcrowding persists.
• New policy excludes violent, sexual, and domestic abuse offenders from early release.
• Only 700 spaces remain in men's prisons, with the system operating at over 99% capacity.
• Probation services to recruit 1,000 new officers to manage increased caseloads.
• Police cells may be used as overflow if prison spaces run out, impacting public safety.

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