Summary
Prisoners in England and Wales may be released after serving a third of their sentence, according to new reforms from the Justice Secretary. The plan does not include the most serious offenders, who must still serve at least two-thirds of their sentences. The reforms are based on an independent review and also involve expanding a program that makes chemical castration available to some sex offenders.
Key Facts
- The reforms allow certain prisoners to be released after serving one-third of their sentence in England and Wales.
- The most serious offenders, such as those convicted of terrorism, still need to serve at least two-thirds of their sentences.
- The reforms follow an independent review led by former Conservative Lord Chancellor David Gauke.
- Chemical castration is being expanded to 20 prisons, with consideration for making it mandatory nationwide.
- Concerns were raised about prisoners with standard determinate sentences, such as sex offenders, being released early.
- The government plans to build three new prisons by 2025 to address current overcrowding.
- Last year, prisoners serving over five years were released early due to overcrowding, serving 40% of their sentence instead of 50%.
- The review highlighted successful releases from supermax prisons in Texas, where prisoners could be paroled early for good behavior.
