‘Listen to victims and communities’: Charity hits out at Government’s early release scheme in bid to tackle prison crisis

A charity has hit out at the Government’s new plans to solve the prison crisis, describing the strategies as an attempt to “buy time”.

Last week the new Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood, set out a series of immediate actions to defuse the ticking prison “time bomb” including an early release strategy which will see thousands of prisoners released this September and October.

Prison cells across the country are expected to run out within weeks, after operating at 99 per cent capacity since the start of 2023.

In May, the chief inspector of prisons, Charlie Taylor, issued an “urgent notification” regarding the conditions of Wandsworth prison after successive damning reports described the prison as “overcrowded”, with rising rates of violence amongst inmates.

Under the new early release scheme, criminals will serve 40 per cent of their sentence, instead of being freed at the halfway point of their term. Those in jail for sex, terrorism and domestic offences will be excluded.

Announcing the temporary scheme on July 12, Ms Mahmood said: “There is now only one way to avert disaster. 

“I do not choose to do this because I want to but we are taking every protection that is available to us. Let me be clear, this is an emergency measure.”

Changes also include a boost in the number of probation officers and a ten-year capacity strategy.

Restorative Justice For All (RJ4All), based in Rotherhithe, “welcomed” the new actions but questioned the effectiveness of early release.

Professor Theo Gavrielides, founder and director of the RJ4All international institute said: “Is early release the answer to this crisis or are we just trying to buy time?

“The current adult reoffending rate is 25 per cent and for youth 33 per cent. 

“The cost for each prison space ranges from £51,000 to £140,000. 

“We have evidence that shows if early release is not properly supported it will worsen the crisis.”

In an open letter to the Lord Chancellor, RJ4All calls on the Government to listen to victims and communities’ voices through a restorative justice dialogue.

Professor Gavrielides said: “Our communities and those who have been harmed want to help and have a voice in what impacts them.”

RJ4All meets both harmed and harming parties every day at its community centre in Plough Way.

Professor Gavrielides said: “We see communities coming together to safely and respectfully empower those coming out of violence and prisons to restore and integrate. 

“Isn’t this a much more inclusive and indeed less costly approach? 

“The previous Government rejected our proposal for a right to restorative justice. We hope that the new administration and the Prime Minister’s promise to return politics to public service is honoured through long-term planning that includes communities.”

Ms Mahmood said a review into the prison capacity crisis will also be launched to look at “why the necessary decisions were not taken at critical moments” by the previous Government.

The measures will be reviewed in 18 months’ time.

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: “The prison system is in crisis. If we fail to act now, we face a total break down of law and order – putting victims at greater risk.

“We are working with partners to manage the impact of these changes, including on victims, and have committed to legislation that will strengthen the support they receive.”

Pictured top: Professor Theo Gavrielides, founder and director of the RJ4All international institute (Picture: RJ4All)