GET OUT OF JAIL SPREE

Judges are ordered to lock up fewer criminals

- BEN TURNER

PACKED PRISONS SCANDAL

CRIMINALS are "dodging" jail sentences because of overcrowding in prisons, critics warned yesterday.

The worsening crisis has led to judges being advised to lock up fewer offenders and now, victims and barristers are accusing the Government of failing the justice system.

Since the guidance earlier this month, a man who attacked a police officer walked free after his one-year jail term was suspended because of prison overcrowding. And a DHL delivery driver who stole £53,000 of parcels was spared jail time for the same reason.

Shadow Justice Secretary Steve Reed said: “It’s shocking that dangerous ­criminals are dodging jail because the Conservatives have trashed the ­criminal justice system.”

The UK prison population now stands at 84,180 – only 1,1000 below the 85,280 capacity, Ministry of Justice figures show.