UK to review early release of 5,000 prisoners before September

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a review of the government's early release programme alongside new Justice Secretary Alex Norris. The policy, scheduled to begin in September, aims to alleviate severe overcrowding in jails across the country. “I’ve spoken to the new justice secretary. We will review the policy together and make further statements in due course,” Burnham said on Wednesday in Bath.

Legislation passed in January means more than 5,000 inmates—including individuals convicted of murder, rape and sexual offences—will become eligible for release at the halfway point of their sentences rather than two-thirds. Offenders guilty of lesser crimes will also qualify for automatic release at the halfway mark, provided they have not broken prison rules. Unlike previous emergency releases during the early months of the Labour government, this Sentencing Act contains no exemptions for those convicted of domestic abuse, terrorism or serious crimes.

The policy was originally championed by former justice secretary David Lammy to prevent a total collapse of the criminal justice system. He argued the government had to act because jails were projected to reach maximum capacity within six months. Former prisons minister James Timpson had similarly warned of a "complete breakdown in the criminal justice system" without intervention.

However, the lack of exemptions has triggered intense backlash from victims' groups, opposition parties and some Labour lawmakers. The mother of police officer Andrew Harper, who was killed while trying to stop thieves, described the potential early release of her son's killers as an "insult". Victims commissioner Claire Waxman, domestic abuse commissioner Nicole Jacobs and former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips also made a rare joint intervention this month to warn the government the scheme would endanger abuse victims.

Burnham acknowledged the systemic failures that created the crisis. “Nobody can deny the pressure on prison places,” he said. “We did not invest in the prison estate when we should as a country, going back a decade or so ago, when it was clear that there was going to be pressure. That has created an unacceptable situation now.”

Victim support organisations cautiously welcomed the review but demanded concrete improvements to how the system communicates with those affected. “Obviously there are significant challenges facing our government, including how overcrowding and under-resourcing is going to be managed, but the solutions to these challenges cannot come at survivors’ expense,” said Ciara Bergman, chief executive of Rape Crisis England and Wales.

Katie Kempen, chief executive of Victim Support, stressed the urgent need to fix notification failures. “This review must urgently fix the fact that most victims currently have no way of knowing whether or not an offender could be released early,” she said. “It is unacceptable that so many victims are being kept in the dark about this – that must change.”

The prime minister cautioned that while he would examine every detail, he could not guarantee a complete reversal of the policy. His comments in Bath came alongside a broader set of domestic economic measures, including reversing a planned increase to the £2 bus fare cap in England and scrapping VAT on energy bills. He offered no immediate commitment to raise the £12,570 tax-free personal allowance, stating that would be considered in this year's budget.