GEIS-新闻详情

Thousands of inmates to be released onto Britain's streets amid growing prison crisis

2024-07-12 00:00:00.0 每日快报-政治原网页

Shabana Mahmood (Image: Getty)

Releasing violent criminals early “presents a risk” to the public but is necessary to prevent a total breakdown in law and order, the new Justice Secretary has claimed.

by Taboola by Taboola

Sponsored

BetterBuck

BetterBuck Read More

The 5 Stupidest Things Americans Overspend On (Hint: Coffee Isn’t One of Them).

Undo

by Taboola by Taboola

Violent offenders will be released under the temporary scheme if they are serving sentences of less than four years and are no longer deemed a risk to the public.

The Justice Secretary conceded after a speech at HMP Five Wells in Northamptonshire: “I am aware that every option is one that presents a risk.

“The risk of a breakdown of law and order, I think, is much greater and one that no responsible government could ever tolerate.

Don't miss... Dire safety warning as Met Police chief says Britain's prisons are 'almost full' [LATEST]

“Our government will not tolerate that risk. So, we are making this difficult decision today.

“But I hope that the implementation period that we are going to make, the way that we are making these changes, will allow probationers the time they need to do those early release plans, to try and make sure that they are both in place in the usual way, making decisions about how they help those who are being released, and also keeping the public safe.”

The scheme will come into force in September and will be reviewed after 18 months.

Ms Mahmood insists the “emergency” measure is only temporary.

Painting an alarming picture of the prison system, the Justice Secretary said jails had been “99 per cent” full for the past 18 months.

There are just 700 cells left. Justice chiefs are alarmed when this figure drops below 1,425 and the overcrowding crisis was predicted to intensify until September, when there would be no empty cells left.

If jails were to completely fill up, police cells would be used.

But they would run out of custody cells within days, triggering a catastrophic chain of events.

A senior police source warned the UK would be heading into “uncharted territory” if this happened, adding “we need to avoid that at all costs.”

They added that criminals would adapt their behaviour to the crisis, and would commit more offences, many of which they may not have previously planned because they know police would be changing their behaviour and not arresting as many people.

London, the area with the most cells, would run out in six to ten days. Most other areas would run out within 72 hours, as convicted criminals are held in custody suites rather than prison cells, it is understood.

Trending

Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood said in a speech: “When prisons are full, violence rises – putting prison officers on the front line at risk. When no cells are available, suspects cannot be held in custody. This means vanloads of dangerous people circling the country, with nowhere to go.

“The police would have to use their cells as a prison overflow, keeping officers off the streets. Soon, the courts would grind to a halt, unable to hold trials.

“With officers unable to act, criminals could do whatever they want, without consequence. We could see looters running amok, smashing in windows, robbing shops and setting neighbourhoods alight.

“In short, if we fail to act now, we face the collapse of the criminal justice system. And a total breakdown of law and order.”

Those convicted of stalking, controlling or coercive behaviour, non-fatal strangulation and breaching restraining orders, along with those jailed for serious violent or sexual offences, will be banned from the scheme.

Get the latest General Election news to your phone Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

The Ministry of Justice said “anyone released will be strictly monitored on licence by the Probation Service through measures which can include electronic tagging and curfews.”

Ms Mahmood said: “There is now only one way to avert disaster.

“I do not choose to do this because I want to…. but we are taking every protection that is available to us... let me be clear, this is an emergency measure. This is not a permanent change. I am unapologetic in my belief that criminals must be punished.”

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “I opposed this, both inside and outside government. With 40 MPs, I tabled amendments to the Sentencing Bill to stop the early release of criminals and put public safety first.

“We managed to stop the Government doing it. Labour is picking up Tory ideas and putting the public at risk.”

The Ministry of Justice said 10,000 prisoners had been released early in a previous bid to avert the crisis.

Ms Mahmood announced that the present early release scheme, the End of Custody Supervised Licence, which is letting some prisoners out up to 70 days early, will be terminated in September.

She branded it “dysfunctional”.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, said: “It is pleasing to see the new Government has taken action on this pressing issue so quickly.

Trending

SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

“We are supporting the Ministry of Justice and other partners in the criminal justice system to manage the impact of these changes, particularly around supporting victims, families and others who will be affected.”

Ms Mahmood launched a personal attack on former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his team in Downing Street, branding them the “guilty men” for failing to prevent the crisis from developing.

She said: “Those responsible – Sunak and his gang in Number Ten – should go down in history as the guilty men.

“The guilty men who put their political careers ahead of the safety and security of our country. It was the most disgraceful dereliction of duty I have ever known.

“The last government left us with a time-bomb, ticking away.”

The Lord Chancellor has also set out plans to recruit over 1,000 additional trainee probation officers by March 2025.

Ms Mahmood also refused to be drawn on whether Labour wants to see less criminals being jailed.

New Prisons Minister James Timpson has said he wants to see the number of offenders behind bars reduced drastically.

The Government has committed to a sentencing review in a bid to reduce reoffending.

But the Justice Secretary said: “We've got to make it clear that the policy of this government is that prison has a place.

DON'T MISS

Keir Starmer ordered to deport 10,000 foreign criminals to end prison crisis

1749 Comments

Pensioner dies after challenging 'intruders' at allotments as three teenagers held

17 Comments

Will depraved Holly Willoughby kidnap plotter Gavin Plumb ever be released?

3 Comments

Peckham London shooting: Man 20, blasted to death in broad daylight as police

30 Comments

Horror in English Channel as four migrants die on small boat crossing

1883 Comments

DWP issues statement on when neighbours are contacted in benefit fraud cases

Comments

Shocking Express investigation discovers you can buy a crossbow in just TWO MINUTES

73 Comments

Holly Willoughby trial: Gavin Plumb sentenced to life for rape and murder plot

Comments

Police chiefs demanded 'crossbow ban' two months before 3 women were slaughtered at home

14 Comments

Bushey triple murder: 'Crossbow killer' victims 'begged for help' in desperate 999 call

Comments

'Monitored' paedophile secretly moved home to rape escort at knifepoint

20 Comments

Soppy Starmer's answer to problems is kicking them into the long grass, says Carole Malone

44 Comments

Woman charged with murder after human remains found in search for man missing for weeks

Comments

AI speed cameras ‘pose a threat' to drivers with tech blasted as ‘intrusive and creepy'

9 Comments

Dire safety warning as Met Police chief says Britain's prisons are full to bursting

44 Comments

Thousands of prisoners to be released amid fears over breakdown of law and order

192 Comments

Prison overcrowding crisis so acute 'we could see another Strangeways takeover'

8 Comments

Fire TV Stick users warned of new streaming risk after another UK crackdown confirmed

1 Comments

energeticallday

Daily Slim Belly Trick by Hollywood Star energeticallday Learn More

Undo

by Taboola by Taboola