As an ex-con, I know Burnham’s scheme is a reckless gamble with public safety
The article argues that the Government’s early release scheme risks public safety by releasing prisoners before they are ready to live lawfully outside prison. It says some return to offending quickly, creating new victims and adding to pressure on prisons.
The author cites a Ministry of Justice figure that more than a third of the prison spaces freed by the scheme had been refilled within a week, partly through recalls. From January to March, 12,977 people were released in England and Wales while there were 13,193 recalls, a 31 per cent rise on the previous year. Drawing on his own imprisonment, the author argues that housing, work, medication and support are important to successful resettlement.
- The author says early release without preparation can increase risks to the public.
- More prisoners were recalled than released from January to March.
- He argues that resettlement support can help prevent repeat offending.
New here? Start with this
Prisoners in England and Wales can be released before the end of their sentence under rules that allow early release, subject to conditions. If someone breaks those conditions, they can be recalled to prison; some people are also imprisoned again after committing a new offence.
The Government’s scheme is intended to ease pressure on crowded prisons by releasing eligible prisoners sooner. The debate centres on how to balance that aim with public safety and what support people need after release, including housing, work and access to medication.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Early release can ease overcrowding and help people return to stable housing, work and support before prison disruption makes reintegration harder. If release is planned with access to medication and services, it may reduce reoffending and the harms caused by overcrowded prisons; recalls and rapid returns to custody also point to the need for better support and supervision.
The case against
Releasing people before they are ready or adequate supervision is in place can expose the public to avoidable harm and leave former prisoners without the support needed to stay out of trouble. The reported rise in recalls and the rapid refilling of freed spaces raise reasonable questions about whether the scheme is reducing pressure on prisons or shifting it into repeated releases and returns.