Starmer: 'shocking' prisons crisis is worse than I feared
The Guardian|July 11, 2024
More than 20,000 to go free early as jails approach capacity | Conservatives accused of ‘act of self-harm to country’
Pippa Crerar, Rajeev Syal, Jessica Elgot
Starmer: 'shocking' prisons crisis is worse than I feared

The "shocking" prisons crisis is even worse than feared, Keir Starmer has said, as the government prepares to release tens of thousands of inmates early to stop jails becoming full.

The prime minister suggested he was opposed to freeing violent criminals and sex offenders as ministers prepared to announce the terms of a new prisoner release scheme for England and Wales tomorrow. The Guardian understands they are examining whether domestic abusers can be excluded.

The scheme is expected to allow early release for those who have served 40% of their sentence, instead of 50% under current rules for inmates serving determinate sentences. Whitehall sources say this could lead to the release of more than 20,000 people over many months.

The former Tory justice secretary Alex Chalk is understood to have pushed Rishi Sunak for months to change those rules, but the then prime minister is said by insiders to have repeatedly overruled him, believing it would be politically toxic and numbers could be managed within existing systems.

Speaking to reporters on a trip to the Nato summit in the US, Starmer said the Conservative government had been reckless in letting prisons come within a fortnight of reaching overflow. "It is shocking for our country to have got into a state where we have too many prisoners and not enough prison places," he said. "To a point where any government is now in a position where it has to release prisoners early. That is a shocking indictment. That is a total failure of government."

Denne historien er fra July 11, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra July 11, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE GUARDIANSe alt
George says Jones regime successful but 'challenging'
The Guardian

George says Jones regime successful but 'challenging'

The England captain, Jamie George, has admitted that Eddie Jones's regime could be \"challenging\" and empathises with Danny Care after his explosive claims about the Australian's setup, insisting that a toxic environment is not a necessary price to pay for success.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 08, 2024
'He respects I'm in charge': Carsley has not spoken with Tuchel about England squad
The Guardian

'He respects I'm in charge': Carsley has not spoken with Tuchel about England squad

Lee Carsley has revealed he is yet to speak to Thomas Tuchel about the England squad he will hand over to him in the new year.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 08, 2024
Osimhen makes Spurs pay as Lankshear scores and sees red
The Guardian

Osimhen makes Spurs pay as Lankshear scores and sees red

When everyone had gathered breath, the only surprise was that Tottenham had run Galatasaray so close.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 08, 2024
Diallo steps into Rashford's shoes to end United's wait for victory
The Guardian

Diallo steps into Rashford's shoes to end United's wait for victory

Hold on to your hat: Manchester United are victorious in Europe after three consecutive Europa League draws and three more without winning in last term's Champions League.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 08, 2024
The Guardian

Arsenal will take time to replace Edu

Arsenal plan to take their time over appointing Edu's successor as sporting director, with his deputy, Jason Ayto, set to step until the recruitment process has been completed.

time-read
1 min  |
November 08, 2024
'I had the same feeling as Harry: do Spurs really want to win?'
The Guardian

'I had the same feeling as Harry: do Spurs really want to win?'

In exclusive extracts from his autobiography, the goalkeeper tells of the dismay he and others felt at how well the club took losing the 2019 Champions League final

time-read
3 mins  |
November 08, 2024
Félix leads Chelsea's finishing masterclass
The Guardian

Félix leads Chelsea's finishing masterclass

When the idea for the Europa Conference League first came to UEFA, it is unlikely that anybody in Nyon envisaged that one day a club of Chelsea's means would be pumping six unanswered first-half goals past an Armenian outfit who were only founded seven years ago.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 08, 2024
The Guardian

Coventry end Robins' long reign

Coventry have made the surprise decision to sack Mark Robins, with the Championship club's board unhappy over \"the performance of the team over an extended period\", despite describing the 54-year-old as one of the Sky Blues' \"greatest ever managers\".

time-read
1 min  |
November 08, 2024
Trescothick wants 50-over change after latest defeat
The Guardian

Trescothick wants 50-over change after latest defeat

Marcus Trescothick has said the current domestic structure is \"not helping\" England's new generation of white-ball cricketers.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 08, 2024
Drivers warn FIA: start treating us like adults
The Guardian

Drivers warn FIA: start treating us like adults

Formula One drivers have demanded the FIA stops treating them like children in a damning indictment of the governing body's policies and its president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 08, 2024