Labour's early prisoner release programme and why it's (still) a terrible idea

Apparently, it’s been delayed or it’s being looked at or something

They also financially supported Ukraine and let their citizens come over with open arms.

I’ve found the BBc don’t always give the full picture, I find that so frustrating because they should do. They seem to be aiming for an “angle” on a story rather than all the facts.
I knew about the additional places after listening to The NewsAgents pod cast.

This made me curious, actually

That and a comment made by someone I work with - I was enquiring about a case from her home country and she said “ oh but we are a civilised country - that guy has been tried and executed since I told you about it”. Wow.

Anyway, I decided to have a look at prison stuff from here, Singapore, Taiwan, USA - just asking AI - and it’s really interesting

Singapore’s reoffending rate seems to be about half of ours.

I wondered if there was a thread on this. In principle I am not against the idea because I think it's silly to lock people up who aren't dangerous.

But in what world are these killers not dangerous? What on earth are the criteria for release and how do they meet them compared with the thousands of other prisoners?

AFAICS they released the nonviolent ones in the previous batch of early release (to deal with overcrowding)

So they’re left with the violent ones

This isn’t quite true as I’ve been asking AI for figures - looks like journalists have been doing the same. So for example, if you were in for a white collar fraud, if there genuinely is an emergency about prison places those are people who I would say should be released first. I can’t remember what the numbers were, but there’s enough to be helpful. What was it? 7000 roughly? Sorry, I’ve been staring at AI with all these questions and can’t remember half of what I read.

Turns out women only make up about 4% of the prison population, so even though that’s mostly non-violent offences, it doesn’t free up enough space. And also I’m reading some crap about how the facilities aren’t appropriate.

Which is so funny when you read about prisoners in other countries. I appreciate the safety of prison guards is paramount. But again, I know they’ve been reducing a number and treated badly for a long time.

Honestly, if you had told me years ago that I’d be wondering how some of these Asian countries handle drugs and crime, I’d not believe you. But here we are. Making sure prisoners have good television.

I just do not understand. And all the bleeding heart who talk about how prison doesn’t work and how we shouldn’t be sending people to prison - I imagine they’d just cry if I suggest that we look at other countries models.

@wizzywig yeah I know, ridiculous the virtue signalling this government and previous governments do to try and look morally superior in the eyes of the global elite. Charity should begin at home but no, not with this sham of a government, need to keep up appearances while their own people and infrastructure crumble. Great plan!

Cop killers and rapists being freed early. Welcome to Labour.

I'd be tempted to say that prisons aren't full until there's standing room only.

Two in a cell? Put another one in there on a mat on the floor.

It's been a bridge too far in this case. Grooming gang rapists being included in the scheme was bad enough.

It’ll be Burnham’s call not the op’s. Early release is being reviewed so they’ll have to decide where people go if it’s changed.

Prison management are scrambling over the pause.

As if they haven't got enough to contend with.

I think that someone committing man slaughter as part of a burglary is less dangerous than a rapist, so in the scale of things I would release them first. If release had to be carried out because of space.

We shouldn't even be making that choice!

The vast majority already share cells.

Well, when you’ve had 14 years of a government who only provided 500 new places, you have to make a choice.

The Tories pushed back on serious offenders being released early. That's what we are talking about - here and now.

Tories let the system break completely on their watch with underfunding and zero reform, which is why urgent action now needs to happen because there aren't enough spaces.

Personally I think 90% of female prisoners should be released and only the violent ones without severe mental health issues should be kept in. They've shown women mostly offend to keep food in kids mouths and aren't violent repeat offenders but usually petty criminals.

Next I would look at mobilising the prisoners as workers - we have issues with sewage in water companies and fly tipping for example - get them out picking up the literal shit in protective gear or building new roads. Sitting around doing drugs all day isn't helping anyone and we are letting fit young men waste away and get addicted when our country has needs they could be used for. Yes I know ppl would suggest it isn't fair to use them for manual labour, but what about the actual manual labourers? They do it for a wage so surely doing it as a punishment should be a no brainer. Also it would mean they learn skills they can use for employment if and when they are released.

I agree more prisons need to be built, but I think the challenge will be recruiting staff. I regularly see job adverts for prison officers online. The government needs to ensure the prisons are being run safely. HMP Woodhill was branded unsafe in March due to escalating violence and has been put into special measures.

I worry that the early release scheme will put more pressure on the probation service. The probation service are recruiting more probation officers but this takes time. If prisoners are being released earlier, more probation officers need to be recruited. There are people on the PQIP reserve list waiting to be hired as trainee probation officers. The service should increase the number of people being trained, but perhaps there aren’t enough qualified staff to mentor the trainees.

We should not, but we are, because of lack of prison space. We shouldn’t overdo prison as a punishment for some less offended (not these) either, because prison is exorbitantly expensive-the staff alone are a massive expense.

I wonder how likely it would have been that these two would be released. I assume there was a formula of who could be considered eg sentence less than x, already served y and they are eligible to be considered.i don't think anyone has said automatic release early.

All the reports were saying they may be released as eligible for the scheme. To me that reads they were eligible to be considered for early release but not automatic. Obviously now on pause but that what was reported earlier this week.