England and Wales releases 700 prisoners early as wider scheme begins

The article reports that 700 prisoners in England and Wales were released early on 1 October under a new government scheme, with further groups due to become eligible over the following months. The scheme matters because it expands early release to some people serving longer sentences, including certain violent offenders, raising debate about public safety and pressure on prisons.

The article says the programme could result in up to 50,000 early releases a year, though the Government has not published a total forecast. The first group had sentences of up to 19 months; later tranches will cover progressively longer sentences, with the final group, serving 12 years or more, due in early June. The Ministry of Justice describes early release as a permanent approach and says about 4,500 prisoners are typically released from custody each month; Conservative politicians criticised the scheme as a risk to public safety.