More than 1,700 prisoners are being released early today. By the end of October, prisons in England and Wales are expected to let out as many as 5,500 offenders prematurely, after they have served just 40 per cent of their sentences.
The threat this prisoner release poses to the public is not in any doubt. Martin Jones, the chief inspector of probation, says it is a ‘certainty’ that many of those let out will reoffend. He expects ‘a third’ to commit further crimes. Many will be back in jail within ‘days or weeks’ for breaching their terms.
