177 prisoners released early from Ford Prison

Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert has condemned the early release of 177 prisoners from Ford Prison, claiming that the Government is “giving criminals a break.”

The latest figures for the ‘End of Custody Licence' scheme reveal that over 11,000 prisoners nationally have been released early onto the streets in the last four months, including 177 inmates from Ford Open Prison.

Another 62 offenders have been released early from Lewes Prison.

Nick Herbert, who is also Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, said:

"Over 11,000 prisoners, including 2,000 violent offenders and 1,000 burglars, have now been let out of jail early in just four months because this Government ignored repeated warnings that it was failing to provide sufficient prison capacity.  These criminals have now committed at least 180 offences when they should have been behind bars.

"Early release of offenders has put the public at risk but has not dealt with prison over-crowding.  It must be scrapped immediately and sufficient cells provided to accommodate all offenders sentenced by the courts.

"When Gordon Brown became Prime Minister, he claimed that he believed in punishing offenders.  In fact he has already given 11,000 criminals a break."

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. Nick Herbert's speech on prison reform, given at the Policy Exchange on 26 November 2007, can be read at http://www.nickherbert.com/media_centre.php/100/prison-reform.