Recalled prisoners are walking free as 'alarmingly full' jails cannot cope

Criminals who have reoffended or broken probation restrictions are being re-released from prisons early on the government's direction under new measures to ease overcrowding.

- Lizzie Dearden

Justice sources say jails are hurtling towards another capacity crisis despite Labour’s ongoing early release scheme and attempts to shift more offenders into open prisons.

Last month, officials were instructed to trigger a new policy that aims to shorten the time prisoners spend in jail after being recalled following previous release. The Observer understands that more than 1,000 inmates are under consideration for the new scheme, and once it is fully implemented about 400 more offenders could be at large at any given time.

A probation officer has sounded the alarm over the process, which bypasses Parole Board evaluations of whether prisoners can be safely re-released and instead sees them freed by the justice secretary’s representatives.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it would cause the release of offenders who “cannot be safely managed in the community”.

“It’s putting pressure on probation staff to change their judgment and recommend the re-release of people who shouldn’t be freed,” he added.

“There are no exceptions for terror offenders, sexual offenders, domestic abuse, stalking ... you could have people under investigation for new offences being re-released.”