Prisoners freed by mistake under early release scheme
The Independent|September 26, 2024
Some prisoners were wrongly released from jail under the government’s new scheme to free up space, as the result of a system error.
ALEX CROFT , BARNEY DAVIS
Prisoners freed by mistake under early release scheme

The Ministry of Justice confirmed that 37 prisoners in jail for breaching restraining orders were mistakenly freed after their offences were logged under outdated legislation.

Five of the prisoners have not yet been returned to jail, but the other 32 were taken back into custody.

The department said that the prisoners were incorrectly charged and convicted under old legislation – the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 – when they should have been charged under the Sentencing Act 2020. This meant that their sentences were not identified as rendering them ineligible for the early release scheme, which they should have been.

The prisoners will each serve the remainder of their custodial sentence, and guidance has been issued to staff to ensure that all future releases are correct, the Ministry of Justice confirmed.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE INDEPENDENTView all
No title until Reds become road warriors, warns Slot
The Independent

No title until Reds become road warriors, warns Slot

Liverpool boss says team must match away form of rivals

time-read
2 mins  |
October 05, 2024
United stuck in 'purgatory' and facing only one way out
The Independent

United stuck in 'purgatory' and facing only one way out

When one prominent football figure caught a glimpse of the Manchester United dressing room recently, they immediately recognised a scene they had seen from rival clubs. That was a squad that \"doesn't know what next\" and feels like it's \"going nowhere\". It isn't intentional, of course, but is a feeling that starts to grip a group when there's no sense of clarity.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 05, 2024
Fifa transfer rules 'contrary to EU law', Diarra case finds
The Independent

Fifa transfer rules 'contrary to EU law', Diarra case finds

Fifa will have to update key paragraphs of its transfer rules to ensure punishment of players for breaking contracts is less draconian, after a European Court of Justice ruling on the Lassana Diarra case.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 05, 2024
Marital rape is not rape, argues Indian government
The Independent

Marital rape is not rape, argues Indian government

The Indian government has opposed calls to classify consensual sexual acts committed by a husband against his wife as \"rape\", saying that to do so could have an impact on conjugal relationships and disturb the institution of marriage.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 05, 2024
Screaming statue tribute to doctor raped and killed in India causes controversy
The Independent

Screaming statue tribute to doctor raped and killed in India causes controversy

A bust installed outside a state-run hospital in India where a resident doctor was raped and killed has sparked anger and shock as it depicts a woman screaming in agony, her head thrown back and eyes wide open.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 05, 2024
Haitian gang shoots at least 70 people in town rampage
The Independent

Haitian gang shoots at least 70 people in town rampage

Gang members brandishing automatic rifles have stormed through a town in Haiti's main breadbasket region, killing at least 70 people and forcing another 3,000 to flee.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 05, 2024
Beirut hit again by Israel as Iran vows not to back down
The Independent

Beirut hit again by Israel as Iran vows not to back down

Israeli military claims strikes targeted new Hezbollah leaders

time-read
4 mins  |
October 05, 2024
Police officers win appeal in athlete stop and search case
The Independent

Police officers win appeal in athlete stop and search case

Two former Metropolitan Police officers have been handed their jobs back after winning an appeal against a ruling that they had lied about a stop and search incident involving British athlete Bianca Williams.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 05, 2024
Royal Navy chief apologises for submarine service abuse
The Independent

Royal Navy chief apologises for submarine service abuse

The head of the Royal Navy has apologised after an investigation found \"misogyny, bullying and other unacceptable behaviours\" in the submarine service.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 05, 2024
Women say gender equality in the workplace has stalled
The Independent

Women say gender equality in the workplace has stalled

Gender equality in the workplace has stalled as women report experiencing many of the same challenges as they did nearly 30 years ago, a new survey of high-flyers suggests.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 05, 2024