Burglars among criminals to be released early to free up prisons

BURGLARS, shoplifters and some violent criminals will be among prisoners released more than a month early under emergency measures to tackle jail overcrowding, The Telegraph can reveal.

Next week, Alex Chalk, the Justice Secretary, will announce that prisoners will be freed up to 35 days before their scheduled release date at jails that are so full they are at risk of breaching their official capacities. It represents a major expansion of an early release scheme that was first introduced in October but has until now restricted governors to freeing prisoners only 15 days before their release date.

It is estimated that 40,000 prisoners are eligible under the scheme, which covers offenders on fixed sentences who would normally be released automatically halfway through their jail terms. It is restricted to “full” prisons at the discretion of governors, meaning it is likely to be hundreds, rather than thousands, who are released early.

Sex offenders, convicted terrorists, category A prisoners and all violent offenders serving four or more years are excluded. But violent offenders serving under four years are eligible, as are burglars, thieves, shoplifters and fraudsters serving any length of fixed-term sentence.

It follows internal warnings that prison places could run out within weeks as courts ramp up cases and prosecutions are set to increase following the uplift of 20,000 police officers.

Last month, there were just over 1,000 spaces available out of 89,041. In an interview with The Telegraph last month, Mr Chalk said his “first, second and third” priorities were to increase prison capacity. He pledged to “do whatever it takes to keep the British people safe” and ensure there were sufficient prison places.

A scheme due to start next month will allow up to 4,000 offenders recalled to prison for breaching their licence to be released early.

Mr Chalk is to change the law so that criminals sentenced to less than 12 months who are released but then sent back to prison for breaking their conditions will receive “fixed-term recalls”, meaning they spend just 14 days back in jail before being let out again. At present they can be given “standard recalls”, which means they remain in prison until deemed safe for release.

This often means they stay in custody until the end of their licence period.