Sex offenders and abusers back out on streets today

CRIMINALS being let out of prison early will likely reoffend within days, experts have warned.

- Michael Knowles

Around 1,700 inmates are being released today in an attempt to ease overcrowding behind bars.

But prison and probation workers have claimed that among those being freed are sex offenders and people who were jailed for domestic abuse offences.

The experts said some convicts will be coming "in and out" of the system because they will be homeless. And some may exploit the opportunity to wreak havoc again, with women's groups warning domestic abuse victims are among those most at risk.

Mark Fairhurst, chairman of the Prison Officers' Association, said: "Someone will come out and immediately reoffend. It's almost a dead certainty. You can see it coming.

"I think this scheme will give us 12 months. But we've got to come up with a long-term solution.