Plan to Release Inmates Two Months Early in March
The UK, which is experiencing a shortage of correctional facilities, is facing controversy over prioritizing arrests of criminals. Previously, the UK government proposed a plan to release some inmates early to alleviate prison overcrowding, raising public concerns about safety.
"Operations with potential mass arrests of suspects should be reconsidered for suspension"
According to BBC and other sources on the 22nd (local time), the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) sent a letter to regional police forces in mid-month stating, "To ease pressure within the judicial system, operations that are not prioritized or have the potential for mass arrests of suspects should be considered for suspension." The letter also included that "public protection remains a priority, and when considering suspending policing operations, assessments of threats, harms, and risks must be conducted."
The types of operations under consideration for suspension were not specified in detail. However, sources indicated that large-scale protests and events requiring police deployment remain a priority, and less urgent operations may be postponed.
UK Prisons Overcrowded, Some Inmates to Be Released Up to Two Months Early
Earlier, in March, the UK announced a plan to release some inmates up to two months early to address prison overcrowding. Alex Chalk, the Secretary of State for Justice, issued a statement at the time allowing 'certain lower-level offenders' in prisons in England and Wales to be released up to 35 days before their sentence expiry. Chalk explained that early release could be extended up to 60 days before sentence completion.
According to official statistics, as of April this year, the number of inmates in prisons in England and Wales was 87,480, nearly double compared to 30 years ago. The capacity for normal prison operation is 79,500 inmates. Regarding this, Tom Witley, chairman of the Prison Governors' Association (PGA), criticized, "The increase in prison population over the past 30 years has been well recognized, and predictions that it would continue to rise were already made. Yet the government has failed to secure new correctional facilities."
As the controversy grew, Gavin Stephens, NPCC Chair, clarified in a statement, "The police will continue necessary arrest operations to maintain public safety."
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