Labour to free waves of killers and rapists early: Criminals guilty of the most serious offences will now be released just halfway through sentences

Labour is to start releasing waves of killers, rapists and violent criminals from jail under its controversial soft-justice plan.

As part of a scheme to free up prison space, even those jailed for more than a decade will get out early.

The plan will ‘horrify’ victims, Justice Secretary David Lammy was warned last night, amid calls for it to be halted immediately.

The Ministry of Justice release programme could mean hundreds of serious criminals being freed in large batches – potentially even on the same day – heightening police fears of a surge of offenders on the streets.

Ministers have set out a timetable that will see 6,000 prisoners walk free, starting in September.

Criminals handed sentences shorter than 18 months will be the first to be freed. 

Releases will then ramp up month by month, depending on the length of sentences. Offenders handed more than 12 years in jail – some of the most dangerous criminals in the country – will start to be freed next June.

Tory spokesman Dr Kieran Mullan said: ‘Victims are going to feel like justice has been stolen from them by these plans. We aren’t talking about shoplifters or vandals.

‘We are talking about paedophiles, rapists and seriously violent criminals. Seeing them walk out of prison years early will horrify most victims, and the public as well. The whole programme needs to be stopped.’

Labour’s Sentencing Act, part of a long-term plan to reduce the prison population, allows early release for violent and sexual offenders after serving half their sentence, rather than the current two-thirds.

Other offenders could be freed after serving just a third of the punishment imposed by a court if they demonstrate good behaviour while in jail.

The early-release scheme means a killer jailed for 15 years for manslaughter would be freed after seven and a half years if they are assessed to have behaved well. 

Murderers will not be considered because they are given a mandatory life term, with a minimum amount of years they must serve.

Ministers are braced for a backlash after a scheme introduced in autumn 2024 saw offenders celebrating at the prison gates by popping bottles of bubbly, driving away in luxury cars and thanking Keir Starmer.

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