Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been addressing concerns over an early release scheme aimed at reducing prison overcrowding in England and Wales. The plan, initially introduced by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has faced significant public backlash, particularly regarding the potential release of serious offenders, including those convicted of violent crimes.
Burnham has tasked Justice Secretary Alex Norris with revising the scheme to exclude certain offenders while also managing the growing prison population, which has doubled since 1993. The situation is complicated by a backlog in the courts and increasing recalls of released prisoners, raising questions about the effectiveness of current policies.