Keir Starmer has backed a controversial policy to allow the early release of certain domestic abusers amid severe prison overcrowding in England and Wales. The emergency measures, led by the justice secretary Shabana Mahmood, will enable some offenders serving short sentences to return to prison only for a brief 28 days upon breaching conditions. The plan has sparked significant criticism, particularly with regards to the safety risks posed to victims, prompting urgent calls for more safeguards from advocacy groups and officials.
I do not want to be in the position where we have this [scheme]. I have no choice, literally no choice, because of the position the last government put us in.
We are re-releasing a group of offenders assessed as high risk and with a track record of poor compliance.
I cannot stress enough the lack of consideration for victims' safety and how many lives are being put in danger.
This will likely cause significant worry among survivors, and it is particularly alarming that these measures were announced without sufficient safeguards.
Collection
[
|
...
]