POLL OF THE DAY: Do you feel safe on Britain's streets as 1,100 prisoners are released early? VOTE NOW

People seen outside HM Prison Durham. Around 1,700 inmates are expected to be let out early in an attempt to ease overcrowding in prisons

People seen outside HM Prison Durham. Around 1,700 inmates are expected to be let out early in an attempt to ease overcrowding in prisons

PA
Jack Walters

By Jack Walters


Published: 22/10/2024

- 05:00

Do you feel safe on Britain's streets after Labour release 1,100 prisoners early? Join thousands of GBN members voting in today's poll of the day - results will be announced on TV and online later today

With a staggering 1,100 inmates just hours away from leaving prisons early, GB News is asking its members if they feel safe on Britain's streets.

The total number of convicts released early will soar tomorrow after a further 1,700 were released from jails across England and Wales on September 10.


Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced plans to cut the proportion of sentences served by inmates from 50 per cent to 40 per cent in July.

The decision was made after overcrowding in British jails pushed prisons to the "point of collapse".


The prison population of England and Wales hit a record high of 88,521 on September 6 this year, just days ahead of the first wave of releases.

However, the figure dropped to 86,333 just one week later.

The figure has steadily increased to 87,028 on October 18.

Sir Keir Starmer defended the policy last month, instead blaming the previous Tory Government for forcing into the move.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Around 1,700 prisoners were released early

Around 1,700 prisoners were released early in September

PA

Chancellor Rachel Reeves last month expressed her anger at scenes from outside prisons across the UK, with dozens of ex-inmates being filmed celebrating.

She told GB News: "It makes me really angry.

"It makes me really angry the inheritance that the previous Government left, whether its the £22billion blackhole in public finances or failing to build the prison places that are necessary to keep criminals locked up.

"We will make sure that we those prison places are available but we have had to make the tough decisions to clear up the awful mess the previous Government left for us."

Prison guardMale prisons are running out of spacesPA

The People's Channel was among the broadcaster's sharing footage of ex-convicts smoking cannabis while an unmarked police car opted to watch on.

It has also been revealed that some of those released committed egregious offences, including 18-year-old Lawson Natty who was convicted of manslaughter following a machete attack.

Jason Hoganson, 53, was also freed early from jail on Tuesday after being sentenced to 18 months in jail for assaulting his former girlfriend in the street.

Do you feel safe on Britain's streets as 1,100 prisoners are released early? Vote in our members' poll and have yoiur say in the comments section below.

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