UK plans to release prisoners early to tackle overcrowding

Britain's new government, under the leadership of justice minister Shabana Mahmood, has announced plans to address prison overcrowding by implementing temporary early releases for some prisoners starting in September. This policy will allow certain inmates to be released after serving 40% of their sentence, down from the current 50%. Excluded from this change are offenders serving sentences for serious violent crimes exceeding four years, sex offences, and domestic abuse-related crimes. The initiative aims to manage prison populations more effectively while ensuring public safety remains a priority.