UK Government to Release 5,500 Prisoners Early Amid Overcrowding Crisis

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announces emergency measures to address imminent overflow in prisons, sparking public safety concerns.

High-risk offenders' supervision time in hostels reduced from 12 to 8 weeks.
Early release scheme allows prisoners to serve 40% of their sentences instead of 50%.
Legislation introduced to facilitate early release of eligible prisoners starting September 13.
Public safety concerns raised by union officials and opposition parties.
Government plans to recruit 1,000 new probation officers by March 2025.