Tories announce plans to scrap automatic early release of prisoners

Oct 1 2008 By Emily Ashton

The Tories announced plans to scrap the automatic early release of prisoners and instead introduce a system of earned release.

Prisoners on fixed term sentences are currently automatically released after serving half their sentence, but the Conservatives said this “betrays the victims of crime”.

Shadow Justice Minister Nick Herbert said that under the proposed earned release scheme courts should set a minimum and maximum term and every prisoner should serve the minimum term with no possibility of parole.

If the prisoners comply with the rules and are “no longer a danger to society”, they will be released.

Mr Herbert told the Tory conference at the ICC in Birmingham: “Those who are the least willing will spend the longest in custody.”

The Conservatives aim to put power back into the hands of prison governors to “restore confidence” in the justice system.

The Tories’ announcement came hours after the Government released figures revealing that more than 36,500 criminals have been let out of prison early since last summer.

End of Custody Licence allows prisoners serving up to four years to be released 18 days early. It was brought in last June to ease the crisis in prisoner numbers.

Registered sex offenders are excluded from early release, as are murderers, people convicted of serious assault, child cruelty and explosives offences.

The Tories also announced plans to back “have-a-go” heroes who intervene when they see crimes being committed on the streets.