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Jail inmates will be freed early Jail inmates will be freed early
(about 2 hours later)
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.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.
It would mean about 1,200 prisoners being released up to 18 days early on licence, he told the House of Lords.It would mean about 1,200 prisoners being released up to 18 days early on licence, he told the House of Lords.
It would not include those convicted of serious sexual or violent offences, the justice secretary added.It would not include those convicted of serious sexual or violent offences, the justice secretary added.
He also said 1,500 new prison places would be created - the first of these available from early 2008.He also said 1,500 new prison places would be created - the first of these available from early 2008.
His statement comes as the prison population breaks the 81,000 barrier for the first time.His statement comes as the prison population breaks the 81,000 barrier for the first time.
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 Conservatives condemned the plan to release prisoners early. Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said the public could be at risk.
The taxpayer will continue to pay through their pay packets David DavisShadow home secretary
Lord Falconer said work to construct 500 of the new prison places would start "immediately". These are in addition to 8,000 places already announced which are expected to be built by 2012.Lord Falconer said work to construct 500 of the new prison places would start "immediately". These are in addition to 8,000 places already announced which are expected to be built by 2012.
'Temporary measure'
Lord Falconer told the Lords the emergency measure would come into force on 29 June.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.""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 not include foreign nationals would who be subject to deportation at the end of the sentence or those who had previously broken the terms of their temporary release.It would not include foreign nationals would who be subject to deportation at the end of the sentence or those who had previously broken the terms of their temporary release.
The use of police cells may have to continue until the end of this year, he added.The use of police cells may have to continue until the end of this year, he added.
Last month, Lord Falconer said he would not use early release to ease pressure.Last month, Lord Falconer said he would not use early release to ease pressure.
Ministers have been loath to introduce any form of early release, fearing it would dent public confidence in the justice system.
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.
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.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.
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.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.
Ministers have been loath to introduce any form of early release, fearing it would dent public confidence in the justice system. 'Public safety'
'Take the heat off' Mr Davis criticised the plans and said the public would be affected.
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. "t is clear from what has been announced today that there will be a continuing reliance on police and court cells, meaning the taxpayer will continue to pay through their pay packets, he said.
"The government's poor record at preventing those released on licence from committing more crimes means they will also continue to pay with their safety."
He also said prime minister in waiting, Gordon Brown was "responsible for the prison crisis".
"He froze the Home Office budget and refused to allow extra prison places because he could not commission them through PFI (private finance initiative) thereby keeping them off the balance sheet."
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
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.
"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 give the system some "breathing space".On Monday, the Prison Governors Association said convicts should be set free a week early to give the system some "breathing space".