Information on Loughborough

Prisoners Released Early

Posted on 18/12/2007
P. Klein

prisoners hands on bars

Over 1300 criminals released early from local jails in the East Midlands

New analysis of Government statistics has revealed that across the East Midlands, since June, 1,340 criminals have been let out of prison before finishing their sentences, under Labour’s controversial new early release scheme.  The scheme was introduced because a shortage in prison places, thanks to a funding crisis caused by Gordon Brown.  The figures include 95 prisoners released early from HMP Leicester and 254 prisoners released early from Glen Parva in Leicester.

Labour Ministers are now planning a new sentencing quango, which would, for the first time, link sentences to prison capacity, so that when jails are full, criminals could receive shorter sentences or not be sent to prison at all.

Loughborough’s prospective Conservative MP, Nicky Morgan said:  “This figure is deeply worrying for members of the public who tell me that they expect those convicted of serious crimes to be in prison.  It is no wonder that violent crime has doubled under this Government when Gordon Brown is giving the culprits a ‘get out of jail’ card. This is fundamentally wrong. Sentences should fit the crime, not this week’s prison capacity.”