Rotherham MP issues statement after Prime Minister Andy Burnham pauses early release scheme
“No prisoners will be let out under this policy until we have conducted an urgent review”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham says no prisoners will be let out early until a review of the early release scheme is carried out.
As preparations for the scheme were carried out, ahead of its planned launch in September, some victims of crime received letters informing them that some offenders could be freed earlier than expected.
Rotherham grooming gang victims Sammy Woodhouse and Sarah Wilson were among those contacted.
The scheme was passed by the Keir Starmer Government earlier this year in a bid to reduce the pressure on the country’s overloaded prison system.
Today the new Prime Minister said that until the urgent review has been carried out, no prisoners considered for an early release under the scheme will be let out.
Under the early release plans, a number of prisoners convicted of serious crimes, including killers, sex offenders and rapists, would be be released at the half-way stage.
Previously, such offenders had been required to serve at least two-thirds of their sentence.
Earlier this month, Rotherham abuse survivors Sarah and Sammy - both of whom have previously waived their right to anonymity - expressed their concerns over the plans.
Both women said the prospect of their abusers being released had led them to fear for their safety, with Sammy branding the plans “absolute insanity.”
“If this new law goes through, I’ll have fought longer for justice than they’ll have served in prison,” said Sarah.
Rotherham MP Sarah Champion said: “The Government should now go back to the drawing board and ensure that perpetrators of the worst crimes are not able to benefit from a lack of capacity in our prison system.
“There needs to be the same exemptions on sex offenders, child abusers, violent offenders and those guilty of domestic abuse as were in place previously.
“'The potential early release of perpetrators of child sexual abuse in Rotherham is shocking.
“'These vile criminals ruined countless lives.
"The very least their victims should be able to expect is justice, and that the time abusers spend behind bars is some reflection of seriousness of their crimes.
“Victims and survivors need to be at the heart of this early release scheme review.”