The government is standing firm on its early release policy after a former prisoner, Amari Ward, was charged with sexual assault on the same day of his release. Ward, 31, was freed on Tuesday as part of the government’s effort to reduce overcrowding in prisons. Two days later, he was charged and denied bail at Croydon Magistrates’ Court.
Ward is accused of assaulting a woman in Sittingbourne, Kent, just hours after his release. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) defended the scheme, pointing to the inherited prison crisis, while assuring the public that reoffenders would be dealt with.
“The government inherited prisons in crisis and on the brink of collapse.
“Had that happened, the courts would have been unable to hold trials and the police to make arrests.”
The early release programme has sparked significant public concern. Approximately 1,750 prisoners were released early this week, with some serving only 40% of their sentences. Though the scheme excludes serious offenders, such as sex offenders and terrorists, critics argue that it poses risks, as underscored by Ward’s alleged reoffence.
While the government claims the policy is essential to avoid a system collapse, many officials, unions, and victims’ advocates are raising alarms. The Conservatives have previously criticised the handling of the scheme, with warnings that some released prisoners could reoffend.
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