Politics · United Kingdom · 1 hr ago
England and Wales to release 650 prisoners early as jails near capacity
About 650 prisoners in England and Wales are due for early release under the second phase of a government scheme.
Eligible prisoners will be released after serving a third of their sentence, instead of 40% or 50%.
People sentenced for manslaughter, rape, serious child sex offences and grooming offences are excluded.
The prison population was 87,033 on 12 October, using 97.8% of available capacity, and the Ministry of Justice warned it could exceed capacity as soon as November.
The government says the release scheme is needed to address a prison capacity crisis while more prison places are built.
Longer sentences and more people being returned to prison for breaking release conditions have also added to the pressure.
A total of 4,500 prisoners are due for early release by June 2027, and the ministry projects the prison population will remain below capacity under the new law.
Around 650 prisoners in England and Wales are due to be released early under the second tranche of the government’s scheme.
Eligible prisoners can be released after serving a third of their custodial sentence, rather than 40% or 50%.
The prison population stood at 87,033 on 12 October, equal to 97.8% of usable capacity.
Justice Secretary Alex Norris says pressure on prison space makes the scheme necessary.
The scheme excludes people sentenced for manslaughter, rape, serious child sex offences and grooming offences.
- Who
- Around 650 eligible prisoners in England and Wales.
- What
- They are due to be released early under the second tranche of the government’s scheme.
- When
- The second tranche is due soon after the article was published on 13 October 2026; an exact release date is not stated.
- Where
- England and Wales.
- Why
- The government says the scheme is needed because prisons are close to capacity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
About 700 offenders serving terms of less than 19 months were released early.
The prison population in England and Wales was 87,033, or 97.8% of usable capacity.
The BBC reported that around 650 more prisoners were due to be released under the second tranche of the scheme.
- Second tranche
- Around 650 prisoners
- Prison population
- 87,033 on 12 October
- Usable capacity
- 97.8% occupied on 12 October
- Total planned releases
- 4,500 prisoners by June 2027
- Excluded offences
- Manslaughter, rape, serious child sex and grooming offences
What people are saying
prison capacity crisis
bidding war
most recalls are for breaches of licence conditions, such as missed appointments, rather than offenders committing further offences or posing a serious risk to the public.
Sources
Related news
UK Cabinet Office scraps hiring platform, records £7.8m loss
Neil Kinnock says Andy Burnham wants Britain to rejoin the EU
Home Office asylum AI summaries fail 22% of initial accuracy checks
Second wave of early prison releases begins in England and Wales
Burnham says Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit vote
Rightwing press backs Badenoch as it targets Prime Minister Burnham
UK to review security for public figures after Ann Widdecombe’s killing
Evesham Council to Vote on No-Confidence Motion Against Emma Nishigaki
Burnham calls for closer UK relationship with the EU
Burnham pledges to publish details of his dealings with Manchester City
Farage pledges five-year suspension of UK asylum system
