Justice Secretary Considers Early Release for Parole Violators Amid Overcrowding

The Ministry of Justice is exploring emergency measures to address the issue of overcrowding in prisons. One proposal under consideration by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood involves allowing criminals who have been recalled for breaching parole or license conditions to be re-released as early as 28 days after their return to prison. This initiative aims to alleviate the strain on the prison system, which has been exacerbated by a significant backlog in the crown courts, leading to lengthy delays in processing more serious cases. Additionally, the Ministry is contemplating an increase in the number of cases that magistrates can handle, potentially doubling the maximum sentence from six to twelve months. This change would enable magistrates to manage more cases directly, thereby reducing the burden on higher courts. These powers were previously granted to magistrates in May 2022 to tackle the backlog caused by the Covid-19 pandemic but lapsed the following year. The current proposals reflect ongoing concerns about prison overcrowding and the need for effective solutions to manage the criminal justice system efficiently.