Ministers have been warned that a failure to implement crucial safeguards ahead of changes to the law, which will result in the early release of offenders, poses a significant risk to abuse victims. In a rare joint intervention, both the Victims' Commissioner and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner have independently written to government officials, urging an immediate halt to the planned early release of individuals convicted of crimes against women and girls across England and Wales.
This coordinated appeal comes amidst growing alarm from charities, who report that an increasing number of victims are experiencing panic, with some resorting to installing CCTV for personal protection. These anxieties have been triggered by letters informing them that offenders will begin to be released early under the new Sentencing Act from September 2026. The legislation, enacted to address a long-standing crisis of prison overcrowding, aims to alleviate capacity pressures within the UK's correctional facilities.
However, Justice Secretary David Lammy and Prisons Minister James Timpson face accusations of reneging on commitments made to the Commissioners and other government departments. These promises included the assurance that comprehensive safeguards and support mechanisms for victims would be firmly in place before any early releases commenced. Rape Crisis England & Wales, alongside other victim support organisations, has expressed concerns that their services could be overwhelmed as more victims learn of upcoming release dates.
The Sentencing Act, which passed in January 2026, differs significantly from emergency measures previously used to address prison capacity, under which over 38,000 prisoners were released following Labour's accession to power. Crucially, the new law contains no exemptions for prisoners convicted of serious crimes, domestic abuse, or terrorism. Jess Phillips, who resigned as Safeguarding Minister in May 2026, stated that she had raised multiple concerns regarding risk analysis before the Sentencing Bill was presented to Parliament, but these were not acted upon.
Both Claire Waxman, the Victims' Commissioner, and Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, have highlighted that they received "specific reassurances" prior to the bill's passage which have yet to materialise. Ms Jacobs, in her letter to the Justice Secretary and Prisons Minister, noted that promised measures, such as a dedicated helpline for victims outlined in the Victims and Courts Act, have not even begun planning. Other unfulfilled commitments include thorough checks before release and ensuring support services receive a comprehensive understanding of perpetrator risk and management strategies. Ms Waxman added that letters sent to victims have eroded trust in the justice system, leaving many feeling betrayed and insulted.