News · 12 August 2026
Early prisoner release scheme risks serious crimes, inspector warns
The chief inspector of probation for England and Wales says releasing thousands of offenders early could lead to serious sexual or violent crimes, or even murder. Martin Jones told the BBC that probation services are already under huge pressure, managing 258,000 cases, and the scheme will increase this considerably. The government plans to free 5,000 offenders from October to make space in overcrowded prisons.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs