UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Leaked MoJ papers reveal govt admits early release scheme may burden police and leave victims feeling justice wasn’t served.
As reported by the Telegraph, the government has acknowledged that law enforcement may face additional duties related to re-arresting offenders as part of the new early-release program.
What did the MoJ document reveal about the early release scheme’s effect on victims?
A leaked Ministry of Justice document revealed ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spending review, warned the policy might make victims feel offenders received insufficient punishment.
The document read,
“Should some of the cohort of releases be re-recalled, it could lead to more work for the police service (for arrest and return to custody).”
According to the MoJ documents, officials conceded they could not assign a monetary value to the increased workload for police officers involved in catching and arresting freed inmates who commit new crimes.
It added,
“They are expected to be significantly outweighed by the benefits to the police of avoiding a breakdown of law and disorder.”
The document said,
“This will threaten a breakdown of law and order, which is expected to result in increased crime, as those with a propensity to commit offences are not deterred from doing so, with no risk of apprehension and subsequent conviction. Significant public protection risks would arise from insufficient prison places for the most serious offenders.”
The Ministry of Justice documents indicated the 28-day recall scheme could generate 1,400 prison places, a number ministers believe will last until the new sentencing reforms are rolled out.
What did Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley say about early release and police workload?
Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Met Police, had earlier predicted that fewer criminals serving full sentences would generate a considerable additional police workload. He also warned that a proportion of offenders released early would likely commit further crimes.
The Commissioner also criticized ministers for allegedly conducting “no analysis whatsoever” on the impact these policies would have on police forces. Sir Mark also claimed the use of electronic tags on criminals would not serve as a barrier to reoffending.
What Baroness Newlove warns about early release of recalled prisoners?
Last month, Baroness Newlove, the Victims’ Commissioner, raised concerns about the early release of prisoners proven to pose a public risk by reoffending, stating it places “victims and the wider public at an unnecessary risk of harm,”
Recalled prisoners must have their case examined by the Parole Board before being eligible for re-release. The Board assesses whether they can be safely freed to serve the remainder of their sentence in the community.
What did the Home Office spokesperson say about increased funding and police numbers?
A Home Office spokesperson stated,
“We are backing the police to protect our communities and keep our streets safe with up to £17.6bn this year, an increase of up to £1.2bn.”
They added,
“This includes £200m to kickstart putting 13,000 additional neighbourhood police officers, PCSOs and special constables that the public will see back on their streets and patrolling communities, as part of our Plan for Change.”
What did the Ministry of Justice say about prison expansion and sentencing reforms?
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson stated,
“This government inherited prisons in crisis, close to collapse. We will never put the public at risk by running out of prison places again.”
They said,
“We are building new prisons, on track for 14,000 places by 2031 – the largest expansion since the Victorians. Our sentencing reforms will force prisoners to earn their way to release or face longer in jail for bad behaviour while ensuring the most dangerous offenders can be kept off our streets.”
The MoJ spokesperson added,
“We will also increase probation funding by up to £700m by 2028/29 to tag and monitor tens of thousands more offenders in the community.”
Prisoners in England and Wales
- Total prison population: 87,919 as of March 31, 2025
- Sentenced prisoners: 69,946 (80% of the total)
- Remand prisoners: 17,582 (20% of the total)
- Non-criminal population: 391 (less than 0.5% of the total)
- Prison operational capacity: 88,818
- Individuals released on temporary licence: 4,113