Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to introduce emergency legislation to stop the early release of hundreds of prisoners. Mr Burnham announced last week that he was pausing the scheme, which was planned to free approximately 700 prisoners in its first phase in September, following criticism from survivors and victims.
Despite the pause, the Conservatives claim that the government's review will not prevent offenders from being released. Ms Badenoch is urging Mr Burnham to fast-track legislation to ensure serious offenders remain incarcerated.
Ms Badenoch stated that without emergency legislation, dangerous offenders could begin to be released on 1 September, the day after MPs return to Parliament. She is calling for Mr Burnham to revoke legislation set to come into effect on 2 September and, if necessary, recall Parliament to exempt violent and sexual offenders from early release.
The early release scheme was initially part of efforts to address prison overcrowding. A Labour spokesperson said, "It's this government that is fixing the Tories' mess," while the Conservatives attribute the overcrowding to previous Labour governments.