Hundreds of inmates have begun leaving prison early under a new scheme designed to ease pressure on the prison system and prevent prisons from becoming full.
The programme is expected to result in the early release of around 4,500 inmates by June 2027. The first departures mark the start of a wider process intended to manage prison capacity over the coming period.
The supplied details do not specify which prisons are involved, the offences committed by those being released or the individual terms attached to their release. The stated purpose of the scheme is to reduce the risk of prisons reaching full capacity.
Further releases are expected as the scheme progresses, with the overall number forecast to reach approximately 4,500 by June 2027.