Prisoners thanked Andy Burnham as they walked free from jail early on Thursday.
The first wave of releases began on Thursday, with 700 criminals expected to be freed across the country.
One prisoner, dressed in shorts, t-shirt, trainers and holding his belongings in a plastic bin bag, said to the press as he left HMP Durham in north east England: “Justice system, what justice system? Thank you Andy Burnham”.
Another prisoner gave a thumbs up to cameras as he walked away.
Meanwhile a man leaving HMP Cardiff in Wales, who was asked if he had a message for the Prime Minister, said: “Thank you very much and don’t get me back here again bro.”
The inmates are among thousands the Government says it has been forced to let out to free up space in overcrowded jails.
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