Magistrates postpone sentencing to ease prison overcrowding ahead of UK's early release scheme launch.
UK magistrates have been asked to postpone sentencing for several weeks to ease prison overcrowding, in anticipation of the government's early release scheme set to launch on September 10th. The program aims to free up around 2,000 prison places in the short term, and up to 5,500 in the long term, by adjusting the standard release date. The new plan allows eligible prisoners to be released after serving 40% of their sentence, instead of 50%. The scheme, however, will not apply to violent offenders serving sentences of four years or more, or those convicted of domestic violence or sexual offences. Critics argue that the delays negatively impact victims, witnesses, and defendants.
August 22, 2024
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