Government Unveils Major Prison Investment Amid Early Release Controversy
New Lancashire prison planned as 5,000 offenders face early release, excluding those convicted of unlawful killing.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Sarah Connor
The government is investing heavily in the prison system, aiming to construct thousands of new places.
Norris declared, "This Government is serious about fixing the broken prison system we inherited, which is why we’ve already delivered more than 3,200 prison places in just two years."
He added, "We’re now investing to boost these efforts further, getting spades in the ground quicker to deliver thousands more places to lock up dangerous criminals and keep the public safe."
These measures include plans to expedite the removal of foreign national offenders and to end Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences. Ending indefinite sentences will reportedly require new legislation.
Despite the expansion, the male prison estate operates at 98% capacity.
Around 5,000 prisoners are expected to be released early in stages from October, a move that has drawn scrutiny.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham decided to keep anyone convicted of unlawful killing behind bars, ensuring their exclusion from early release; this reportedly includes all forms of manslaughter.
This encompasses individuals such as Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, convicted of PC Harper's manslaughter in 2020, and Reece Galbraith, jailed for manslaughter in connection with Archie York's death in 2024. Those convicted of death by dangerous driving are also excluded.
Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones confirmed that offenders released under the scheme will be placed on GPS monitoring tags and subject to restrictions, including exclusion zones, bans from public spaces, and mandatory work placements.
When these offenders come out of prison, the presumption will be that they will all be placed on a GPS monitoring tag.
Davies-Jones stated, "When these offenders come out of prison, the presumption will be that they will all be placed on a GPS monitoring tag."
Breaches of these conditions can lead to immediate recall to prison. Offenders may also face bans from certain activities or have their driving licenses revoked.
However, domestic abusers convicted of crimes will be released in October under existing schemes. Serious child sex offenders, rapists, groomers, and those convicted of indecent assault offences are also understood to be excluded from the new early release scheme.
The victims minister insisted the scheme would do nothing to put the public in danger. The Shadow Justice Secretary has stated that the prisoner release scheme raises more questions than it answers.
An additional £18.9 million investment will be made into victim services to support those affected by crime.
Jason Hogg, a police official, expressed relief regarding the exclusion of those convicted of unlawful killing, stating, "I had a phone call with the Lord Chancellor on Friday afternoon… Obviously I was very relieved."
Hogg also noted, "It will be welcomed not just by me but by police officers in Thames Valley as well, because there’s been such a strength of feeling about this issue."
He raised concerns about the practical implications for law enforcement, stating, "The police haven’t received any additional funding for this additional work, so I’m going to be having to move resources away from one area of business to another."
The changes to the early release scheme will be laid in Parliament through secondary legislation at the beginning of next week.