The UK government is facing criticism for its decision to release prisoners up to 70 days early to alleviate overcrowding in prisons, a measure that has been described as a failure of investment in the prison system by Jon Ashworth. This early release scheme, which was launched six months ago, has resulted in approximately 1,000 prisoners being freed early. Concerns have been raised about the lack of monitoring for these released prisoners, with warnings that public safety could be compromised as prisoners go ‘unmonitored’ due to probation service cuts. Additionally, the government has not ruled out further extensions to this scheme, which remains under review. The situation has been further complicated by reports of severe issues at HMP Wandsworth, including security failings and poor conditions, prompting calls for urgent improvements and the implementation of emergency measures following the alleged escape of Daniel Khalife.
Wandsworth prison needs 'urgent improvement', watchdog says https://t.co/GFwvr84aqb
Unfortunately I’m not surprised that HMP Wandsworth has just had an Urgent Notification from @charlie_taylor6 “…poor leadership at every level of the prison, from HMPPS and the Ministry of Justice …” https://t.co/KCYcChlgJD
Wandsworth prison should be put into emergency measures, a watchdog has said, after an inspection raised concerns over ongoing failings in security - eight months after the alleged escape of Daniel Khalife https://t.co/GFwvr84aqb
Scandal-hit Wandsworth prison should be put into emergency measures amid security concerns, watchdog warns https://t.co/1fYzCmRJFH
“Why is this service in a position where it’s now having to say, ‘unless you’re a serious offender, we’ll knock a third of the time that you’re monitored’.” ’What is that if not complete failure?’, asks @TomSwarbrick1, as new probation rules will see prisoners unmonitored. https://t.co/XD2cHyoGb7
"Public safety has to be the top priority, this is the impact of 14 years of Tory chaos." Shadow Prisons Minister @RuthCadbury speaks to @TomSwarbrick1 as a reset of probation rules will see released prisoners go unmonitored after serving 2/3 of their license. https://t.co/va3vmdZnwQ
Urgent Notification issued for HMP Wandsworth 👉7 suicides in the last year 👉drugs rife 👉security not good enough despite last year’s escape 👉most prisoners locked up for 22 hours a day, often with no time outdoors https://t.co/WDTFJtfcPS
Yesterday, @charlie_taylor6 wrote to the Secretary of State for Justice @AlexChalkChelt to invoke the Urgent Notification process following our unannounced inspection of HMP Wandsworth between 22nd April and 2nd May 2024. https://t.co/HP07vwxlpq
‘People will die’: Warning as freed prisoners go ‘unmonitored’, as probation service cuts supervision https://t.co/by8pfq7woy
"Prison governors estimate 1,000 criminals released early "Scheme launched six months ago to free certain convicts amid fears of overcrowding" https://t.co/Go9qvPhPSJ
New: Govt refuse to rule out further extensions to prisoner release scheme. Following👇 @ShabanaMahmood asks UQ. Presses govt on numbers released, probation ability to assess risk & 70 days / further extensions Govt say measure will stay under “review” https://t.co/zXuonpXvml https://t.co/UVhP3BaFeI
The Tories are releasing prisoners, but not the facts. No previous government has ever been forced to release prisoners over two months early. And worst of all - they are doing all this in secret. It’s shameless, and frankly a disgrace. https://t.co/9dtuYxyjrK
"Why has it not been spent? I mean it's pretty incompetent isn't it?" @JonAshworth says it's "infuriating" that the government has “failed to invest” in prisons, after reports that some prisoners will be released 70 days early to ease overcrowding. 📻 https://t.co/AqtlSEtoCH https://t.co/0QFpEauS1f
Just re-upping this one from March. Now, as it emerges some prisoners will be freed up to 70 DAYS early, looks like a surefire PMQ today. Tells a wider story of the Tories failures in office, failures the voters last week made plain they're sick of. https://t.co/c7tI6IN7QH