Thousands of prisoners to be released, starting from today.

For those who are really interested in how bad the tagging system is.

Seen 'Undercover: The Great Tagging Scandal'? Watch it here on Channel 4:

www.channel4.com/programmes/undercover-the-great-tagging-scandal?cntsrc=social_share_ios_undercover_the_great_tagging_scandal

Okdokey08

Agree with Cossy, this is not an AB issue, it’s a systemic problem that has been ignored for years. It’s not ideal, but will less so if due to lack of space they put serious murderers, rapists etc, up in hotels or empty building's in the community till they have room to transfer them to a prison… there would be another “outcry” from the public.
The fear placed on people who have been affected by abusers, is not on the scale of understanding, and none of us can offer an assurance or guarantee, and this in itself is the crux of the matter, innocent people are now being placed back into a state of fear through no fault of their own. They feel the justice system has failed them, but it’s those in power with nothing to fear (aka ruling governments) that have failed in their duty.
The tagging is most an ashtray in a motorbike exercise, on a “Hope it works” basis.. a “better than nothing” appeasement for the public, but again, I have no alternative, as the only alternative (ie jail) that was in place to protect the victims, and potentially more victims to come, has failed.
I also believe that for many of these people who are leaving jail in these current times, with low employment and high cost of living, that jail could be a better alternative for them than being outside, offering shelter, 3 meals a day, gym, pool, clothing, a job for minimal wages, TV in every cell, courses and education, immediate access to healthcare..and so on… so sadly some of them once they get over the initial enthusiasm of getting out, might be tempted to look for ways to get back in… I hope not

I know that all prisons arent exactly salubrious. Think the old Strangeways.

But l'm sure some are. Rumour had it that when HMP Forest Bank was first opened for young offenders.

It was like a TUI 4 Star All Inclusive Hotel. The staff couldn't do enough for the poor inmates

I also bet there is an something like an unofficial version of TripAdvisor for prisoners.

Where they can rate their stay and give advice on their crimes, legal representation and court case and how to get a reduced sentence.

It will be interesting to see how many of the early release wallahs reoffend and receive yet another custodial sentence.

But there again there will probably
still not be enough prison places
Could just become a revolving door where they could commit as many crimes when the fancy takes them, and never be punished?

Or perhaps if these early release naughty boys really changed their ways and did not regress to type once released for a number of years. Maybe they could get some extra support to behavevin a good way. You know in a way that responsible, decent, honest everyday people do .

Maybe if appropriate help was given on release?

If you have been voting for the Conservatives and austerity, you are responsible for austerity which has resulted in prisons not being built and the decimation of public services. Oh and a little further back for selling off council houses and privatisation of water and many other essential services. I don't know how you live with yourselves. And you still want to pay less tax, how selfish.

We have to ask why so many in prison? Not why have we run out of space. So many are the result of mental health/ substance misuse cycle. Lack of prospects and deprivation. It’s not left -it’s humanism as opposed to lack of imagination. And empathy.
I could give figures and never cut and paste even though I’m way to the left.

The hidden reason for such a large prison population is that 57% of male inmates are functionally illiterate. Tackle this in education and we would be halfway to solving it.

What we don't know is what percentage of those released early have been domestic abusers or similar. Without that information we can't begin to form any rational assessment if risk. And presumably most of them would be released anyway in a year or two: does that alter the risk?

For all those moaning about it shouldn't happen, dangerous, when's the first victim going to be killed, etc, maybe try to look at facts, not emotive TV News yakking?

Prisoners now come out under 'Conditional Licence', with supervision. They can be instantly recalled for any breach.

Prisoners have for decades been coming out with substantial remission for 'good behaviour', this recent move for lesser-threat people just brings that forward a few months.

The comment(s) re sending foreigners back to their country of origin, well, who could argue against that? Over 10K of them, a variety of offences, get rid of them, and if they bleat about their partner, child, cat, dog, budgie whatever being deprived of their company, well, here's a simple suggestion, take them with you? And seize any property they have to defray expenses. If they wanted to come here, they shouldn't have become criminals? That's a lot of freed-up cells.

The previous Conservative government — introduced the End of Custody Supervised Licence (ECSL) scheme in October 2023, initially releasing eligible prisoners up to 18 days early, later expanded to as much as 70 days.
As a previous poster said, the situation is more complex than it’s painted. Burnham inherited the last decision from
Shabana Mahmood under Keir Starmer’s Labour government.
It’s easy to read headlines or the Daily Mail and onto band wagons.
Having said that, it’s a very frightening thing to do. It makes me feel vulnerable as an older woman.

Tagging is/was useless. It was known as the British Rolex provided by civilian contractors. Easy to get off, apparently. Speaking of useless.... anything to do with civilian contractors and MoD. No overwatch. The Rachel Weiss film - Whistle-blower - a good example. Was amazed yesterday to learn from mother of serving Army officer that civilian contractors are employed to recruit possible Service personnel. Very questionable to say the least according to what I was told. Criminals also have unlimited tax payer funds to legal aid. Thanks to Tony Bliar. Keeps his lawyer cronies in a job - and his wife

Was amazed yesterday to learn from mother of serving Army officer that civilian contractors are employed to recruit possible Service personnel. Very questionable to say the least according to what I was told

Why would that be questionable?

Ex-service personnel often enter public service after leaving or retiring, recruited by the Ministry of Justice on fast-track schemes because they have transferable skills, a good work ethic, reliability.