Summary
A new review recommends that violent prisoners, such as those convicted of sex offenses and domestic abuse, might be released after serving only a third of their sentence to reduce prison overcrowding. It also suggests expanding chemical castration for sex offenders and managing more offenders in the community. The report highlights that building more prisons is not a solution to the current overcrowding issue.
Key Facts
- The review proposes early release for violent prisoners after serving one-third of their sentence.
- A pilot offering voluntary chemical castration to sex offenders will expand to 20 more prisons.
- The report suggests managing more offenders in the community instead of prison.
- The government is expected to accept some recommendations and respond with further details.
- A previous emergency release allowed prisoners serving more than five years to be released after 40% of their sentence.
- The review recommends only using short prison sentences in rare cases.
- It calls for more funding for the Probation Service and better electronic monitoring.
- An "earned progression model" for offenders, inspired by Texas, is proposed.
