Operation Early Dawn, triggered yesterday, means some suspects will be released on bail rather than sent to a cell, because their trial will be put off. Suspects' first appearances before magistrates after they have been charged with a crime are also likely to be affected.
Details of the measures emerged as Keir Starmer told Rishi Sunak during parliamentary exchanges to stop trying to issue "get out of jail free cards" to criminals.
The measure, which is expected to be in place in England and Wales for at least a week, is in addition to an early release scheme under which some convicted criminals are being released to home curfew in order to free up cells. It is unclear how many suspects will be bailed under the operation now in force across England and Wales. Whitehall sources said some bail hearings would be delayed for as little as a day.
There were 1,238 prison places available on Friday, according to the latest figures. Last Thursday, the government triggered Operation Safeguard, a crisis measure to use police cells to house prisoners.
Tom Franklin, the chief executive of the Magistrates' Association, said his members were concerned about the new delays and the lack of information from the Ministry of Justice.
This story is from the May 16, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the May 16, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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