Overcrowding: More Than 1,700 Prisoners Being Released Early From Prison

More than 1,750 offenders in England and Wales began to leave prison yesterday, as part of a government scheme designed to reduce overcrowding in jails.

It was triggered by the incoming Labour government days after the general election in July, but officials had already been drawing it up when the Conservatives were in power.

The 1,700 inmates let out yesterday is in addition to the 1,000 who are usually released in a week. The policy will see prisoners released after completing 40% of their sentence – rather than the standard 50% – in a bid to free up 5,500 beds.

But it will not apply to those convicted of sex offences, terrorism, domestic abuse or some violent offences, reports the BBC.

The prison population in England and Wales hit 88,521 last week – an all-time high – and Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said the situation was at “crisis point”.