Operation Early Dawn, triggered yesterday, means some suspects will be released on bail rather than sent to a cell, because their trial will be put off. Suspects' first appearances before magistrates after they have been charged with a crime are also likely to be affected.
Details of the measures emerged as Keir Starmer told Rishi Sunak during parliamentary exchanges to stop trying to issue "get out of jail free cards" to criminals.
The measure, which is expected to be in place in England and Wales for at least a week, is in addition to an early release scheme under which some convicted criminals are being released to home curfew in order to free up cells. It is unclear how many suspects will be bailed under the operation now in force across England and Wales. Whitehall sources said some bail hearings would be delayed for as little as a day.
There were 1,238 prison places available on Friday, according to the latest figures. Last Thursday, the government triggered Operation Safeguard, a crisis measure to use police cells to house prisoners.
Tom Franklin, the chief executive of the Magistrates' Association, said his members were concerned about the new delays and the lack of information from the Ministry of Justice.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin May 16, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin May 16, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Butler challenges England to avoid run-rate obsession
Jos Buttler has urged his England players not to get sucked into a state of desperation this week regarding net run-rate as they try to resurrect their T20 World Cup defence from a perilous position.
McIlroy ready for 'boring' plan to end major drought
Rory McIlroy's latest chance at ending his decade-long chase of a fifth major title will launch under the brightest of spotlights after he was grouped with Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele for the opening two rounds of the US Open.
Protectionism slowing growth and ingraining poverty, says World Bank
A new era of protectionism is leading to slower global growth and hindering attempts to eradicate poverty, the World Bank has warned.
Tata says Welsh steelworks 'at risk' if £500m in aid delayed
Tata Steel has claimed that steelmaking in south Wales could be \"at significant risk\" if a £500m subsidy package is delayed, after the shadow business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, called for it to restart talks with a potential Labour government.
Trafficked, beaten and raped The price of a rising cocaine habit
Maddalena Chiarenza never knows what state the children will be in when they arrive at her door.
UN: Gaza worst for 'violations' against children
More grave violations against children were committed in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel than anywhere else in the world last year, according to a UN report which is due to be published this week.
Shock and anger as head of France's moderate right signals electoral pact with Le Pen
The leader of France's mainstream right has said he would back an alliance with the far right in the snap legislative elections later this month, shocking opponents and party members and throwing French politics into further disarray.
'He's grown so fast' Man stranded in Turkey by Home Office finally reunited with family
On a scrap of grass behind a red-brick housing estate in Chester, Siyabonga Twala stops to get his breath back as his son Mason dribbles a football past him.
Exclusive London fundraiser rakes in millions for Trump
A fundraiser for Donald Trump in London yesterday, where his eldest son was set to be the star guest, had already clocked up £2m in donations before it began, according to organisers.
Over 100 licences for UK arms sales to Israel issued since 7 October
More than 100 arms export licences to Israel have been issued by the UK government between the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October and 31 May, according to government figures.
