Key facts
- Justice Secretary David Lammy warned that ending early release for sex offenders could cause a prison capacity crisis by November.
- Over 5,000 prisoners, including those convicted of serious offenses, are set to be released early from September.
- Lammy stated that new prison construction takes seven years, necessitating the current early release scheme.
- He is in communication with Andy Burnham's team regarding the policy.
- Amber Rudd is leading a review focused on improving prison safety and management.
Justice Secretary David Lammy has stated that abandoning plans for the early release of sex offenders would lead to a critical capacity crisis in England and Wales' jails by November. He argued that opponents of the scheme, including Labour MPs, lack viable solutions to prevent the potential collapse of the criminal justice system.
Under the current plan, over 5,000 prisoners, including those convicted of serious offenses such as manslaughter, rape, and grievous bodily harm, will be eligible for release halfway through their sentences, rather than serving the current minimum of two-thirds. Lammy emphasized the necessity of this scheme due to the impending capacity crisis, which could see prisons operating at 99% capacity within six months.
Lammy acknowledged the concerns raised by victims' advocates and some Labour MPs, but stressed that the early release policy is essential for managing prison numbers. He noted that building new prisons is a lengthy process, taking approximately seven years, and that immediate measures are required. He also mentioned ongoing dialogue with Andy Burnham's team regarding the policy.
Meanwhile, Amber Rudd, former Conservative home secretary, is leading a review into prison safety, focusing on drugs, violence, and organized crime. Rudd aims to identify policies that can garner cross-party support for long-term improvements, drawing inspiration from international prison systems, including those in Spain and Scandinavia, as well as reforms in Texas.