First prisoners including violent inmates walk out of UK jails under controversial early release scheme

It comes as the prisons watchdog warned it is “inevitable” some will reoffend – as some violent criminals were back on the streets, as part of efforts to tackle prison overcrowding.

Around 1,700 prisoners in England and Wales were being released on Tuesday, before their sentences are served, in a bid to cut overcrowding, in addition to the around 1,000 prisoners normally freed each week.

Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said that the Government “had no choice but to do something” about overcrowding because “the bath was in danger of overflowing, and they either had to turn the taps off or they had to let some water out”.

But he also warned some of those released would be homeless which could increase their chances of reoffending.

Mr Taylor said: “It’s inevitable that some of these prisoners will get recalled to custody and it’s inevitable that some of them will go out homeless.

Reporters stationed outside HMP Brixton in south London this morning reported a “steady stream” of prisoners being released, to waiting family and friends.

Inmate Shane Devlin, 36, told The Sun he had been released a month early after serving a year behind bars, for actual bodily harm.

But even he questioned the scheme, telling the newspaper: “All they’re going to do is put the people from the riots in. They’re just going to empty it out and fill it up with new people.

“Plus most people reoffend so they’ll be straight back in.”

Downing Street said the policy had to be brought in to avoid “unchecked criminality” where the police and courts are unable to lock anyone up because there were no places available. (LBC)

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