During Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), Rishi Sunak found himself in the hot seat over the premature release of potentially dangerous offenders as part of a program aimed at

alleviating prison overcrowding.

Sir Keir Starmer pressed Sunak for assurance that no high-risk individuals were being granted early release. Sunak responded by asserting that those posing a threat to public safety wouldn't qualify for release. However, Starmer cited a specific case from a report on HMP Lewes, where an inmate with a history of stalking and domestic violence, deemed a danger to children, had their release expedited without a comprehensive risk assessment.

Originally introduced last October, the scheme permitted early release for "low-level offenders" in England and Wales, supervised closely, up to 18 days early. This duration was extended to 60 days in March and will be stretched further to 70 days from May 23.

The government emphasized that individuals convicted of sexual, terrorist, or serious violent offenses wouldn't be eligible for early release. The surge in the prison population over recent years due to stricter sentencing and court delays prompted such measures.

However, Sir Keir criticized the lack of transparency regarding the scheme, demanding clarity on the number of prisoners released early, their whereabouts, and their offenses. He specifically called for exceptions for domestic abusers.

Sunak reiterated the strict eligibility criteria and asserted that prison governors had ultimate discretion over participation in the scheme. He underscored the stringent conditions and supervision imposed on released individuals, contrasting it with the policies of the previous Labour government.

The debate underscored differing approaches to crime and punishment between the Conservative and Labour parties, with Sunak defending the Conservative stance on prison as a deterrent to crime. Labour indicated its intention to end the early release policy if elected but acknowledged the challenges of addressing prison capacity issues.

Criticism of the proposed Sentencing Bill highlighted concerns over its efficacy in addressing systemic problems. Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor raised serious concerns about the early release scheme, citing cases where individuals were released despite significant risks to themselves and the public.

Emergency measures such as Operation Early Dawn aim to manage the flow of cases to alleviate prison overcrowding, signaling the ongoing challenges faced by the criminal justice system. Photo by UK government, Wikimedia commons.