Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced reforms to address prison overcrowding whilst responding to public concerns about early prisoner releases. A scheme that would have released approximately 6,000 offenders after serving one-third of their sentences has been delayed until October and significantly restricted—rapists, serious child sex offenders, and those convicted of grooming are now excluded. The Government maintains that without such measures, the prison system would reach capacity and compromise public safety, though Burnham indicated he would have preferred even stricter limits.

To manage long-term demand, the Government plans to build 14,000 new prison places by 2031, framed as the fastest prison construction programme since the Victorian era. Offenders released under the reformed scheme will face enhanced monitoring, including GPS tags for some, extended supervision periods, and designated restriction zones. A separate £10 million victim support initiative has been launched, featuring a national helpline and proactive outreach to affected individuals, emphasising trauma-informed assistance.