Why Are 700 Prisoners Being Released Before The End Of Their Sentences Today?

Around 700 inmates are being released early from their prison sentences today.

It’s part of the government’s controversial plan to free up spaces in Britain’s overcrowded prisons.

Male prisons in England and Wales are currently operating at nearly 99% capacity, limiting the justice system’s ability to punish future offenders.

As of September 1, there were only 1,500 free spaces available out of nearly 89,000, as the crisis worsened.

Without government intervention, current sentencing rates mean there would have been no spare cells by Christmas.

Here’s what you need to know.

How The Scheme Works

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