MINISTERS admit they have no idea how many rapists and killers will be freed from jail under Labour’s early release scheme.
The Government’s new Sentencing Act will see some violent and sexual offenders eligible for release half-way through their sentences, rather than two-thirds.
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Ministers have admitted they have no idea how many rapists and killers will be freed from jail under Labour’s early release scheme Credit: Getty
Justice Minister Jake Richards said it was ‘not possible to know future release data precisely so far in advance’
The scheme, which comes into force in September, will also see burglars and thieves considered for release a third of the way through sentences, down from the current 40 per cent.
Ministers do not yet know how many will be let out.
In response to a written Parliamentary question, Justice Minister Jake Richards said it was “not possible to know future release data precisely so far in advance”.
The first wave of around 700 early release lags will be set free on September 2.
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When a different early release scheme came into force two years ago, criminals popped champagne and partied outside prisons.
Jack Rankin, the Conservative MP for Windsor, warned that it will see “child groomers and rapists” let out of prison “years early, with their victims being informed by letter”.
He asked Mr Richards: “Will the minister tell my constituents exactly why, under this Government, dangerous criminals will be in their communities rather than in prison?”
But David Lammy, the Deputy PM and Justice Secretary, defended the scheme.
Jack Rankin, Tory MP for Windsor, warned that it will see ‘child groomers and rapists’ let out of prison ‘years early, with their victims being informed by letter’ Credit: Alamy
Justice Secretary Lammy defended the scheme Credit: Getty
He told him: “Because you almost broke the prison system. We had to fix that system.”
From October 2022 to August 2024, the adult male prison estate was between 98 per cent to 99.7 per cent full.
The Ministry of Justice said: “Offenders who a judge has deemed the most dangerous are automatically blocked from early release, and prisoners who behave badly while behind bars face being locked up for longer.”
