Labour Promises to Address Jail Overcrowding – Can They Succeed?

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice face a massive challenge as the UK struggles to balance overcrowded jails. Under the Rishi Sunak government, over 10,000 were freed 70 days before bail. How will it go with the Labour government?  

Tough on Crime 

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The UK has experienced an overcrowding of prisons as the law clamps down on crime and becomes tougher on criminals. With justice being served, many are also facing long-term sentences for certain crimes. 

Prison Cells Are Overcrowded 

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The Guardian recently reported the challenges UK prisons face that have become overcrowded with prisoners.

What Did the Former Government Do?

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Under the former government led by Rishi Sunak, the measures taken were releasing prisoners before their bail, at least 70 days before. According to the Guardian, 10,000 prisoners were released in this manner. 

The Plan Now?

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Labour Government’s Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Sabana Mahmood has her work cut out as labour plans to free up more prison space. Mahmood said low-risk prisoners would be freed sooner. 

Low-Risk Inmates

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In her comment, the Secretary of State for Justice said that low-risk prisoners will serve an automatic 40% of their sentence. This law would apply to prisoners who are first-time offenders. After that, they will be freed. 

Who Are Low-Risk Prisoners?

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According to Mahmood, low-risk prisoners refer to individuals serving less than four years for their crimes. This process excludes persons who committed violent acts of crimes, terrorism, and sexual crimes.  

Cautionary Warnings

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While the need to free up space in prisons seems a priority, a senior police source has warned that this rule might encourage people to commit crimes. He told The Guardian crimes may include looting, shoplifting, and other petty crimes. 

Freed Under the ECSL

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The End of Custody Supervised License (ECSL) came into action in October 2023. In the scheme, applicable determinate prisoners would be released sooner than their Conditional Release Date, according to the Ministry of Justice. 

The Program’s Timeframe 

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The ECSL started with prisoners being released a maximum 18 days before their actual release date. Later, the maximum released date increased, moving to 35 days, and then 70 days prior. 

More Than 10 Thousand to Date

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According to the Ministry of Justice, there are 10,083 people who have been released since the scheme was implemented in October 2023 to June 2024

They Could Re-Offend 

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According to the Guardian, the police source also said that former offenders who had been released on a license would re-offend. They would feel more comfortable knowing they may not be recalled for the prison sentence since they would only serve a short time and be released. 

 Sir Starmer Is “Beyond Frustrated”

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UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had previously expressed deep disappointment towards the old government’s leadership. Under Sunak, the overcrowding prison crises weren’t adequately dealt with.  

It’s Worse

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Starmer also said that he didn’t realize it was this bad when he said the situation was “worse than I thought.” 

A Shocking Failure

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He accused the old government of allowing it to get this bad, and now it was up to Labour to make it right. He said the conservative government was a “total and shocking failure,” The Independant.com reported. 

System Blocks Can Be Dangerous

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Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, told Good Morning Britain that prisons are so full they risk a “system block.” He explained that when the system is blocked, it will have a domino effect on courts and police systems. He cautioned that a system block can be very dangerous for the public.  

Nearly Full to Capacity

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Rowley also said in his interview that the prisons were so full there were only about 708 places left. He said the best thing to do is keep a surplus capacity of 1,425 cell spaces for male inmates. 

Fears for Safety 

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Campaigners representing safety against violence for women and girls have fears about safety with the ECSL scheme. It’s also been reported that some offenders who were in prison for domestic violence were released with the ECSL. 

Tragedy and Outrage Toward the System

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Families of victims of crime are outraged at the system. AP News reported on the tragic murder of 35-year-old Zarah Aleena, who was sexually assaulted and murdered by Jordon McSweeney, who was on early release. 

The System Struggles to Cope

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Farah Naz said that if criminals are released and the systems can’t cope, then supervising these convicts won’t be adequate. She said that McSweeney “was unsupervised” and “never assessed,” which “emboldened him” to commit the heinous crime. 

It Can Be Disastrous

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The Centre For Women’s Justice founder, Harriette Wistrich, said, “…where someone presents a danger or risk, then early release would have diarsterous consequences…” 

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