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Early jail release plan expected Early jail release plan expected
(30 minutes later)
Non-violent offenders could be let out of jail early in a bid to ease prison overcrowding in England and Wales.Non-violent offenders could be let out of jail early in a bid to ease prison overcrowding in England and Wales.
Lord Falconer, head of the new Ministry of Justice (MoJ), is this week expected to announce a plan on the overcrowding.Lord Falconer, head of the new Ministry of Justice (MoJ), is this week expected to announce a plan on the overcrowding.
A Whitehall source has told the BBC the justice secretary is likely to say some non-violent offenders nearing the end of sentences are to be freed early.A Whitehall source has told the BBC the justice secretary is likely to say some non-violent offenders nearing the end of sentences are to be freed early.
Last month, Lord Falconer told Sky News that he would not be announcing early releases to ease pressure on prisons.Last month, Lord Falconer told Sky News that he would not be announcing early releases to ease pressure on prisons.
According to the Times newspaper, "up to 2,000 prisoners serving less than four years" would leave jail early.According to the Times newspaper, "up to 2,000 prisoners serving less than four years" would leave jail early.
They were likely to be "burglars, fraudsters and drug dealers" but not "offenders convicted of violent or sex crimes", it added.They were likely to be "burglars, fraudsters and drug dealers" but not "offenders convicted of violent or sex crimes", it added.
An MoJ spokeswoman would neither confirm nor deny an early release plan.An MoJ spokeswoman would neither confirm nor deny an early release plan.
Release conditionsRelease conditions
Jails in England and Wales are at bursting point - on Monday the prison population was 80,977 - 481 from capacity.Jails in England and Wales are at bursting point - on Monday the prison population was 80,977 - 481 from capacity.
Lord Falconer appeared to rule out an early release plan last month
Just over a month into his new job in charge of the MoJ, Lord Falconer is understood to be working on what some will consider to be a drastic solution.Just over a month into his new job in charge of the MoJ, Lord Falconer is understood to be working on what some will consider to be a drastic solution.
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said Lord Falconer would not be announcing Early Executive Release, under which the home secretary has the right to release prisoners. 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 BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said Lord Falconer would not be announcing Early Executive Release, under which the home secretary has the right to release prisoners.
Instead, it would be some kind of release scheme for low-risk, non-violent prisoners approaching the end of their sentences, possibly a week or two before they were due to be released, our correspondent added.Instead, it would be some kind of release scheme for low-risk, non-violent prisoners approaching the end of their sentences, possibly a week or two before they were due to be released, our correspondent added.
It would involve some kind of monitoring or release conditions but probably not tagging.It would involve some kind of monitoring or release conditions but probably not tagging.
Details for the scheme, which is believed to have been discussed with Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown, are yet to be finalised.Details for the scheme, which is believed to have been discussed with Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown, are yet to be finalised.
Safety warningSafety warning
Ministers have been loathe to introduce any form of early release, fearing a dent in the public's confidence in the justice system.Ministers have been loathe to introduce any form of early release, fearing a dent in the public's confidence in the justice system.
On Sky News's Sunday Live with Adam Boulton on 6 May, Lord Falconer dismissed reports that more than 3,000 prisoners were to be released early.On Sky News's Sunday Live with Adam Boulton on 6 May, Lord Falconer dismissed reports that more than 3,000 prisoners were to be released early.
I think what people will find is that there are going to be more prison places in the next few weeks Chancellor Gordon Brown "I am not going to announce early releases because of prison overcrowding," he insisted.I think what people will find is that there are going to be more prison places in the next few weeks Chancellor Gordon Brown "I am not going to announce early releases because of prison overcrowding," he insisted.
The Conservatives say early releases will threaten public safety and would be a direct consequence of ministers' failure to deal with overcrowding.The Conservatives say early releases will threaten public safety and would be a direct consequence of ministers' failure to deal with overcrowding.
But 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.But 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."
'Breathing space''Breathing space'
Gordon Brown told GMTV on Tuesday that he had been looking at how more prison places could be created.Gordon Brown told GMTV on Tuesday that he had been looking at how more prison places could be created.
Money had been set aside to create 8,000 new places next year, he said.Money had been set aside to create 8,000 new places next year, he said.
"My involvement as chancellor has been to look for both the money and how we can get more prison places," he said."My involvement as chancellor has been to look for both the money and how we can get more prison places," he said.
"I think what people will find is that there are going to be more prison places in the next few weeks." Lord Falconer appeared to rule out an early release plan last month"I think what people will find is that there are going to be more prison places in the next few weeks."
On Monday, the Prison Governors Association said convicts should be set free a week early to stop court and police cells being used to tackle the problem.On Monday, the Prison Governors Association said convicts should be set free a week early to stop court and police cells being used to tackle the problem.
Ministers needed to give the system some "breathing space", it added.Ministers needed to give the system some "breathing space", it added.
General secretary Charles Bushell said some prisoners were now being held in court cells - designed only for defendants waiting to appear in the dock - for almost 48 hours.General secretary Charles Bushell said some prisoners were now being held in court cells - designed only for defendants waiting to appear in the dock - for almost 48 hours.