Prisoners to Be Freed up to 18 Days Early in Order to Tackle Overcrowding

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has given details in the House of Commons of a range of measures being taken to reduce the prison population in England and Wales.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk (L) attends the official opening of HMP Fosse Way, a new Category C prison in Leicester, England on June 29, 2023. Jacob King/PA

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has given the green light for criminals convicted of “less serious” offences to be released up to 18 days before their automatic release date.

On Monday, Mr. Chalk said early release would be among a series of measures the Ministry of Justice would be taking in efforts to prevent overcrowding in prisons, with 88,225 people currently incarcerated in England and Wales.