Prison Early Release Scheme Paused

Justice Secretary Alex Norris announced on 29 July 2026 that an early prison release scheme, scheduled to begin in September, would be paused. The provisions, part of the Sentencing Act, would have enabled certain offenders to be released after serving a reduced portion of their sentence. This decision follows significant criticism from victims' families and advocacy groups.

Review of Implementation and Victim Notification

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The pause is intended to allow for a comprehensive review of the policy's implementation and, crucially, the process for notifying victims and their families. Mr Norris stated that the government wants to ensure the policy is implemented correctly and to provide certainty to victims and survivors. The review will also examine the information provided to victims regarding potential early releases. The government has stated that no prisoners will be released under this policy until the review is complete and steps are taken to minimise public risk.

Under the original plans, offenders serving standard fixed sentences who were due for release after 50% of their term would have become eligible after serving 33%. More serious sexual and violent offenders, who would have been released after 66% of their sentence, would have been eligible after 50%. These individuals would have been subject to intensive supervision in the community.

Criticism and Public Reaction

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The scheme faced considerable opposition. Lissie Harper, widow of PC Andrew Harper who was killed in 2019, described the possibility of his killers' early release as "deplorable". She expressed concerns that politicians were making decisions with significant consequences for victims' families without fully understanding the impact. Jade Belgrove, a survivor of sexual assault, shared her distress upon receiving notification that her attacker might be released early, stating it was "horrific" and led her to question her decision to report the crime. Victims' Commissioner Claire Waxman welcomed the pause, calling the original scheme the "wrong course of action" and highlighting the renewed fear and uncertainty experienced by many victims.

The BBC understands that approximately 700 prisoners were expected to be released under the scheme in early September. Some prison officers have expressed concerns that pausing the releases could exacerbate overcrowding issues, potentially leading to prisons reaching critical capacity by November. However, others have praised the government for prioritising public safety and victims.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed the pause but called for killers and rapists to be permanently exempt from any future iterations of the scheme. The government has indicated that the most serious offenders, including life prisoners, are not eligible under the current scheme.

Next Steps

The government has committed to conducting an urgent review to address concerns and ensure the policy's correct implementation. The duration of the pause and the specific outcomes of the review remain unclear, but the focus will be on victim safety and notification processes.