Story perspectives

Andy Burnham to Free 5,000 Prisoners Under Expanded Scheme

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 8:11 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham will free about 5,000 prisoners tomorrow under the expanded early release scheme.
Justice Secretary Alex Norris excluded rapists and severe child-sex offenders from the scheme.
England and Wales prison population reached 87,499 on Monday, a 2% rise from June 29.
MoJ data show 70,066 prisoners had been released under the scheme by end-March 2026.

History

Historical Context

The Criminal Justice Act 1993 formed part of a decade-long reform drive that also produced the 2003 Act’s new life-sentence categories for over 150 offences. The series of Criminal Justice Acts, from 1993 through 2008, reflects ongoing parliamentary attempts to balance sentencing severity with prison capacity. Later measures such as the 2008 Criminal Justice and Immigration Act tightened release criteria, shaping today’s selective release plans.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham will free about 5,000 prisoners tomorrow under the expanded early release scheme.
Justice Secretary Alex Norris excluded rapists and severe child-sex offenders from the scheme.
England and Wales prison population reached 87,499 on Monday, a 2% rise from June 29.
MoJ data show 70,066 prisoners had been released under the scheme by end-March 2026.

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