Thousands of violent lags WILL be let out early as Labour announce plans to tackle ‘disastrous’ overcrowding in jails
THOUSANDS of violent prisoners will be let out early as Labour announce their plans to tackle overcrowding and “avert disaster” in Britain’s jails.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has blasted the “guilty men” of Rishi Sunak’s government who failed to take action to urgently save the prisons from collapse.
She has confirmed that lags will be released after serving just 40 per cent of their sentences to stop cells from filling up.
Domestic abusers convicted of offences such as coercive control and terrorists will be excluded from the cohort.
But those serving up to three years for violent offences – including assault – will get out earlier than planned.
In a blistering speech delivered at new HMP Five Wells, Lord Chancellor Mahmood took aim at the “guilty men” in the previous Tory government who she claims let the problem with prisons build up.
She said: “Time and again, they ducked the difficult decisions that could have addressed this challenge. Instead, they kept the public in the dark about the state they had left this country in.
“They were too weak to heed the warning signs that were flashing. They chose instead to put the country at risk.”
She added: “We now know that the former Lord Chancellor tried to address this challenge. He tried to warn the then Prime Minister.
“But, instead of taking responsibility, Rishi Sunak called an election. He tried to hoodwink the electorate. And he was punished at the ballot box.”
She described those responsible as the “guilty men”, echoing the words once used to describe the appeasers in the 1930s: “Those responsible – Sunak and his gang in Number Ten – should go down in history as the guilty men.
“The guilty men who put their political careers ahead of the safety and security of our country. It was the most disgraceful dereliction of duty I have ever known.”
Data released this morning also shows that under the previous Tory government 10,083 prisoners were let out up to 70 days early – with that scheme now suspended.
She also announced that thousands of more probation officers will be hired to monitor lags once they are released.
Ms Mahmood added: “The last government left us with a time-bomb, ticking away. So let me explain what happens if that bomb goes off.
“Soon, the courts would grind to a halt, unable to hold trials. The police would have to stop carrying out arrests.
“With officers unable to act, criminals could do whatever they want, without consequence. We could see looters running amok, smashing in windows, robbing shops and setting neighbourhoods alight.
“In short, if we fail to act now, we face the collapse of the criminal justice system. And a total breakdown of law and order. This is not the plot of some dystopian film. This is the legacy of the last Conservative Government. This is the legacy of the guilty men.”
The Justice Secretary met with staff at his problem prison HMP Bedford earlier in the day.
A damning report into the site earlier this year found “filthy” conditions with a call for it to be put into emergency measures.
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said it was one of the worst prisons he had seen.
During the visit on Friday morning Ms Mahmood saw piles of contraband vapes and cigarette packs stuffed in gaps in walls while at one point the smell of cannabis wafted through an open cell window.
Wardens displayed items which had been found on prisoners or thrown over the walls including toilet brushes fitted with blades, toothbrushes melted down to form spikes, and deodorant cans with screws pushed into them.
Prison staff were seen holding a prisoner in their cell with a plastic shield while the Lord Chancellor walked past.
She was shown round by Governor Sarah Bott who took over the site after the inspector had called for urgent improvements to keep prisoners safe.
National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair Chief Constable Gavin Stephens welcomed the change, adding: “It is pleasing to see the new Government has taken action on this pressing issue so quickly.
“We are supporting the Ministry of Justice and other partners in the criminal justice system to manage the impact of these changes, particularly around supporting victims, families and others who will be affected.”