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Jail inmates will be freed early Jail inmates will be freed early
(30 minutes later)
Inmates serving jail sentences of four years or less can be released early to ease prison overcrowding in England and Wales, Lord Falconer has said. Some inmates serving jail terms of four years or less will be released early to ease prison overcrowding in England and Wales, Lord Falconer has said.
He told the House of Lords it would affect prisoners who were up to 18 days away from the end of their sentence. They would be released on licence. He told the House of Lords it will mean around 1,200 prisoners being released up to 18 days early on licence.
The justice secretary's statement comes as the prison population breaks the 81,000 barrier for the first time. The justice minister's statement comes as the prison population breaks the 81,000 barrier for the first time.
He also announced an extra 1,500 extra prison places. He also said 1,500 new prison cells would be constructed. The extra space will be available from early 2008.
The first of these would be available from January 2008. This is in addition to 8,000 prison places which are already being built. This is in addition to 8,000 prison cells which are already in the process of being created.
The Conservatives have condemned the plan to release prisoners early. Their home affairs spokesman Edward Garnier said it posed a risk to the public.
The early release of prisoners would not include those convicted of serious sexual or violent offences, Lord Falconer said.The early release of prisoners would not include those convicted of serious sexual or violent offences, Lord Falconer said.
It would also not apply to foreign nationals facing deportation at the end of their sentence.
'Temporary measure'
Lord Falconer told the Lords the emergency measure would come into force on 29 June.
"This is a temporary measure," he said. "Release on licence is not the same as executive release. Releasing people on licence means their sentence continues.
It would affect prisoners such as drug dealers, burglars and fraudsters who are nearing the end of their sentences.It would affect prisoners such as drug dealers, burglars and fraudsters who are nearing the end of their sentences.
Last month Lord Falconer said he would not use early release to ease pressure. The use of police cells would have to continue until the end of this year, he added.
The Conservatives have condemned the plan to release prisoners early, with their home affairs spokesman Edward Garnier saying it posed a risk to the public. Last month, Lord Falconer said he would not use early release to ease pressure.
PRISON FACTS AND FIGURES About 147 people per 100,000 are in prison in England and Wales - the highest proportion in Western EuropeThe prison population has almost doubled from about 41,000 in 1993More than 17,000 prison spaces have been created since 1997 - a further 8,000 are plannedMore than half of prisoners serve less than six months, and one in five is held on remandAbout two thirds of released prisoners are reconvicted within two years Prison facts and figures Reid announces prisons planPRISON FACTS AND FIGURES About 147 people per 100,000 are in prison in England and Wales - the highest proportion in Western EuropeThe prison population has almost doubled from about 41,000 in 1993More than 17,000 prison spaces have been created since 1997 - a further 8,000 are plannedMore than half of prisoners serve less than six months, and one in five is held on remandAbout two thirds of released prisoners are reconvicted within two years Prison facts and figures Reid announces prisons plan
The prison population in England and Wales has risen steadily over the last eight years - from 64,530 in June 1999 to 81,016 on Monday night.The prison population in England and Wales has risen steadily over the last eight years - from 64,530 in June 1999 to 81,016 on Monday night.
Earlier, BBC home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford said in the short term ministers were having to agree to the release, a few days early, of up to 2,000 prisoners. BBC home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford said the jails were so full that some 400 prisoners were being held in police stations each night and around 100 were held in court cells, he said.
Prison governors would be asked to choose the inmates who were considered least dangerous to avoid any public outrage, our correspondent added. Prisoners had been held in one London magistrates' court for the last two weekends. It lacked proper washing facilities and staff were having to bring in mattresses for inmates to sleep on, our correspondent said.
The jails were so full that some 400 prisoners were being held in police stations each night and around 100 were held in court cells, he said.
Our correspondent said that prisoners had been held in one London magistrates' court for the last two weekends. It lacked proper washing facilities and staff were having to bring in mattresses for inmates to sleep on.
Mr Brown told delegates to the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) in Manchester that more prison places were to be built.
"For the Treasury's part I can say that it's making available additional money today for further new prison places including extra fast build units this year," he said.
He did not say what increase in capacity that will bring.
Safety warningSafety warning
Ministers have been loath to introduce any form of early release, fearing it would dent public confidence in the justice system.Ministers have been loath to introduce any form of early release, fearing it would dent public confidence in the justice system.
HAVE YOUR SAY Prisoners should serve their sentence. The way to tackle this is to build new prisons Martin Long, Nottingham Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Prisoners should serve their sentence. The way to tackle this is to build new prisons Martin Long, Nottingham Send us your comments
Harry Fletcher, the assistant general secretary of the National Association of Probation Officers, said Home Office projections back in the late 1990s warned of a prison population above 80,000.Harry Fletcher, the assistant general secretary of the National Association of Probation Officers, said Home Office projections back in the late 1990s warned of a prison population above 80,000.
"They've had eight, nine years and really done nothing, so there's been no easing up on sentencing because it would be unpopular but also there's been no substantial building programme and no provision for probation," Mr Fletcher told Five Live."They've had eight, nine years and really done nothing, so there's been no easing up on sentencing because it would be unpopular but also there's been no substantial building programme and no provision for probation," Mr Fletcher told Five Live.
'Take the heat off''Take the heat off'
Prison Reform Trust director Juliet Lyon said: "Releasing some people, assessed as no risk to the public, will take the heat off overcrowded jails for a while.Prison Reform Trust director Juliet Lyon said: "Releasing some people, assessed as no risk to the public, will take the heat off overcrowded jails for a while.
Government must use this respite to set out how it will reserve prison for serious and violent offenders Juliet LyonPrison Reform TrustGovernment must use this respite to set out how it will reserve prison for serious and violent offenders Juliet LyonPrison Reform Trust
"Instead of lurching from crisis to crisis, government must use this respite to set out how it will reserve prison for serious and violent offenders.""Instead of lurching from crisis to crisis, government must use this respite to set out how it will reserve prison for serious and violent offenders."
Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, Jan Berry said: "A short-term revolving-door policy does nothing to protect the public, to motivate police officers or addresses the prison crisis in the long term.Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, Jan Berry said: "A short-term revolving-door policy does nothing to protect the public, to motivate police officers or addresses the prison crisis in the long term.
"Whilst in the future it could be made possible to effectively monitor more offenders in the community, the structure and the resources are not in place to make this a safe or viable option at the present time.""Whilst in the future it could be made possible to effectively monitor more offenders in the community, the structure and the resources are not in place to make this a safe or viable option at the present time."
On Monday, the Prison Governors Association said convicts should be set free a week early to stop court and police cells being used instead of jails and give the system some "breathing space".On Monday, the Prison Governors Association said convicts should be set free a week early to stop court and police cells being used instead of jails and give the system some "breathing space".