MP says criminal justice system faces huge challenges

Wolverhampton MP Warinder Juss said the Government has ‘taken the responsible decision’ by excluding serious sex offenders from its early prison release scheme.

Mr Juss, who sits on the Commons justice select committee, said ministers had struck a sensible balance between protecting the public and ensuring prisons did not reach breaking point.

The Government has also delayed planned early releases from prison from September to October, giving probation staff have time to plan for releases and that victims can have a say in the restrictions placed on offenders.

The plans have been criticised by the family of Pc Andrew Harper after it emerged that two men jailed for his manslaughter could be eligible for release under the scheme.

Campaigners against domestic violence have also said the scheme will put victims at risk.

It has been reported that prison numbers could exceed capacity by November unless action is taken.

Mr Juss said that as a member of the justice select committee, he was aware of the scale of the challenges facing the criminal justice system.

He said years of underinvestment by the Conservatives had left the Government with little choice but to release prisoners early, and said the actions would ensure that prison cells were available for dangerous criminals.

“Protecting the public and standing up for victims must always come first,” said Mr Juss.

“I welcome the Prime Minister's decision to ensure that offenders convicted of rape, serious child sexual offences and grooming crimes are excluded from these sentencing changes.

“Years of underinvestment have left our prisons dangerously close to capacity and ignoring that reality would ultimately make the public less safe. The Government has taken the responsible decision to protect victims while preventing the prison system from reaching breaking point.

“The Sentencing Act will restore order to the prison system and make sure we have cells available for dangerous criminals. This will put an end to the use of repeated early release schemes prior to July 2024, which were emergency, temporary measures forced upon successive governments because of repeated capacity crises.”

He said the changes also introduce a new ‘progression model’ which would end automatic release for badly behaved offenders.

“Those who break the rules or are violent behind bars face spending 100 per cent of their sentence locked up,” he said.

Andy Burnham suspended the early-release scheme, introduced by his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer, in his second week as Prime Minister after coming under intense pressure from MPs, victims, campaigners and prison officers to stop the early release of serious sexual and violent offenders.

In a statement, Burnham said: “I asked for an urgent review of the prisoner release scheme. I fully understand the anger, anxiety and distress that’s been caused. I’ve heard that loud and clear. That’s why we’re making significant changes: offenders who have been sentenced for rape, serious child sex offences and other grooming offences will be excluded from the changes.”