Survivors of grooming gangs are urging Members of Parliament to exclude sexual offenders from early prison release schemes, expressing profound fears for their safety and well-being. The powerful appeal, detailed in a letter to MPs, comes as Parliament prepares to debate the Sentencing Act 2026, which includes proposed changes to reduce the amount of jail time some prisoners will serve.
The letter, signed by five women from Yorkshire and the mother of a late victim from Rochdale, highlights the ongoing trauma experienced by survivors. They write: "We should not be left feeling that our suffering counted only long enough to secure a conviction and then stopped mattering." The signatories argue that the prospect of early release leaves them "frightened, exhausted and heartbroken," adding, "Now, we are being asked to live with the fear that those people who harmed us may come back into the community sooner than we ever thought."
Among the signatories is Sarah Wilson from Rotherham, who has waived her right to anonymity and previously spoke about feeling "let down all over again" after learning two of her attackers might be eligible for early release. Fiona Goddard, a child sexual exploitation survivor from Bradford, also signed the letter. They stress that their campaign is not against rehabilitation or all prisoner releases, but rather "about asking for survivors to matter too."
In response, the government has stated its commitment to toughening sentencing for child sex offences, ensuring that the most dangerous offenders are excluded from early release programmes. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson described the grooming gangs scandal as "one of Britain's darkest moments" and highlighted that an independent inquiry led to tougher sentencing for "vile predators." The spokesperson also noted that those released face stringent conditions, including 24/7 monitoring, movement restrictions, location tagging, and potential bans from public events, pubs, and clubs.
The government acknowledges the challenge of prison overcrowding, stating that "failing to act would mean prisons running out of space again." They are addressing this by building 14,000 new prison places, with 3,200 already completed. The Conservative party has also indicated its intention to force a vote to ensure convicted rapists, paedophiles, and grooming gang members lose the right to automatic early release, signalling a cross-party focus on the issue.