The article reports that more than 70,000 prisoners have been released early under Labour’s scheme intended to ease overcrowding in prisons. It says the scale of releases has increased pressure on Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to call for future releases to be halted, amid concerns about public safety and the capacity of the justice system.

The scheme reportedly allows eligible prisoners to leave custody before completing their full sentences, with exclusions for some serious offences. The article frames the policy as a response to severe prison-capacity pressures, while highlighting criticism that continued early releases could undermine confidence in sentencing and place additional demands on probation and local services.