Thousands of prisoners were released early on Tuesday 10 September, as the prisons watchdog warned it is “inevitable” some will reoffend.
Around 1,700 prisoners in England and Wales were expected to be let go before their sentences are served in a bid to cut overcrowding, in addition to the around 1,000 prisoners normally freed each week.
Downing Street said the policy had to be brought in to avoid “unchecked criminality” where the police and courts are unable to lock anyone up because there were no places available.
Chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor said that the government “had no choice but to do something” about overcrowding but also warned some of those released would be homeless which could increase their chances of reoffending.
