Police Leaders Express Concerns Over Early Prisoner Release Plans

Senior police and security leaders, including the head of the Metropolitan Police and a senior MI5 official, have raised concerns about the UK government’s proposals to release some prisoners early. In a letter to the Ministry of Justice, they warned that the plans could negatively impact public safety. The government has argued that many of these concerns have been addressed.

The letter highlights issues such as the costs of electronic tagging and the potential for repeat offenders to avoid jail if short sentences are reduced. It also emphasizes the importance of short-term prison terms in providing temporary respite for communities and stopping offending during that period.

Earlier this month, a government-commissioned sentencing review recommended releasing some prisoners after they have served a third of their sentence to ease severe prison overcrowding. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood accepted most of the proposals but ruled out early releases for the most serious offenders, such as those jailed for terror offences.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley acknowledged the government’s difficult challenge in addressing prison overcrowding but expressed concerns that the proposed solutions would create additional work for the police. He noted that there had been no analysis of these potential consequences.

The letter, sent before the announcement on sentencing changes last week, was intended not to oppose the government’s sentencing reforms but to offer advice to support and shape the policy.