Britain is set for a “devastating” spate of crime and we have already started to see it in recent days, according to ex-offender support charity Tempus Novo CEO Steve Freer.
He was speaking on GB News about the early release of 1,700 inmates in a bid to free up space in Britain’s crammed prisons.
But the move is likely to have troubling consequences, he warned, claiming we have already seen some emerge.
Asked if he has a “sinking heart” about inmates being allowed back onto the streets prematurely, he said: “Yes, there’s clearly going to be more crime.
Steve Freer is concerned about the early release of 1,700 prisoners
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“Some of that will be devastating. We have already seen examples of that in the past few days.
“This is down to systemic incompetence. The probation have been under the cosh for years and now we are just adding more and more pressure on them.”
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Associates of prisoners were waiting to celebrate their release outside the south London jailGB NEWSIt comes after London Mayor Sadiq Khan suggested those being released early should be moved straight to the top of the housing priority list.
Freer told Bev Turner and Andrew Pierce this could be a wise move given the risk of reoffending the more they are out on the streets.
“It would help. Statistically, I think it’s 50 per cent less likely to reoffend if they have some sort of accommodation, but it’s okay having accommodation, they need to be able to pay for it”, he said.
“They need a lifestyle that supports a healthy future. That’s why we work around employment with good employers.
Freer joined Andrew and Bev on Britain's Newsroom
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“I think the early release scheme is a knee-jerk reaction. I get why, prisons are bursting at the seams and the current Government has inherited the problem.
“We’ve seen this coming for a decade. It’s a sad indictment of Government.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended the move to free criminals during a lively PMQs session where he was grilled by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmoud announced plans in July to cut temporarily the number of sentences which inmates must serve behind bars from 50 per cent to 40 per cent as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) sad overcrowding had pushed jails to the “point of collapse”.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Farage said: “This to make way for, yes, rioters, but equally those who have said unpleasant things on Facebook and elsewhere on social media.
“Does the Prime Minister understand there is a growing feeling of anger in this country that we are living through two-tier policing and a two-tier justice system?”
Sir Keir hit back, telling MPs: “I’m angry to be put in a position of having to release people who should be in prison because the last government broke the prison system.
“The prime minister was repeatedly warned that he had to adopt the scheme that we put in place.”