Burnham Bars Sex Offenders from Early Prison Release
Andy Burnham has tightened the government’s emergency prisoner early-release scheme to exclude serious sexual offenders, including rapists and child abusers, saying he “wanted to go further”. The changes mean roughly a thousand fewer inmates will qualify for early release. The scheme was introduced to relieve dangerously overcrowded jails.
The move follows unease that the original scheme, designed to free up cells in a prison system close to bursting, could release dangerous offenders. Ministers have also ordered a review of indefinite “IPP” sentences, which have kept thousands behind bars on open-ended terms long after their tariffs expired. Critics note that some contentious cases remain eligible, and campaigners for victims have called for a rethink. Balancing the need for prison places against public protection is among the thorniest problems the new government has inherited. Watch which offenders remain eligible and whether the overcrowding eases.