PRISONERS will be released up to two months early in a desperate government dash to free up crammed jails.
Justice Secretary insisted the measure would only apply to “low-level offenders” for a limited time period only.
Prisoners can be released up to two months early
But it will likely spark uproar from voters and Tory MPs that convicts including shoplifters will get out prematurely.
Currently lags can be released under supervision 18 months early.
But to battle chronic overcrowding in jails Mr Chalk will increase that to between 35 to 60 days.
He said GPS tag monitoring would help keep tabs on the offenders.
The Ministry of Justice quietly slipped out the announcement on Parliament’s website late Monday night.
Mr Chalk said: “We will enable this to happen, for a time limited period, and work with the police, prisons and probation leaders to make further adjustments as required.
“This will only be for certain low level offenders. Where necessary, electronic monitoring will be applied, enhancing public protection. Ministers will continue to keep use of this measure under review.”
Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Successive Conservative governments have failed to build enough prison places.
“This has led to them granting early release to violent criminals, domestic abusers, and burglars. It’s a crisis of the Tories’ own making and it puts the public at risk.”
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