UK releases 650 prisoners early under plan to free 5,000 inmates
Britain released approximately 650 prisoners on 11 November ahead of completing their sentences, as part of an urgent government plan to alleviate severe overcrowding in prisons across England and Wales. This follows an initial phase last month that released 650 inmates. Under the Sentencing Act 2026, approximately 5,000 inmates are expected to be released early over the next year, reduced from an initial plan of 6,000. Offenders convicted of murder, manslaughter, sex offences, and severe child sexual abuse are excluded. Other eligible offenders now qualify after serving one-third of their sentence instead of half, or half instead of two-thirds for serious crimes. The Ministry of Justice said released inmates will remain under continuous supervision and will be fitted with Serco GPS monitoring devices, with strict movement and time restrictions for dangerous offenders.
