Britain's Bold Move: Early Release to Tackle Prison Overcrowding

Shabana Mahmood, Britain's justice minister, announced plans to temporarily release some prisoners earlier in their sentences to address prison overcrowding. Starting in September, prisoners may be released at 40% completion of their term rather than 50%. Serious, violent, and domestic abuse offenders are excluded.

Britain's new government is set to tackle prison overcrowding by temporarily releasing some inmates earlier in their sentences, Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood announced on Friday.

Effective September, prisoners will be eligible for release after serving just 40% of their sentence, a reduction from the current 50%, according to government sources.

However, the policy will not apply to those convicted of serious violent crimes, sex offenses, or domestic abuse-related crimes, the government emphasized.