Probation officers get just days to prepare for early release of prisoners
The Guardian|September 07, 2024
2,000 Number of prisoners being released early on Tuesday, followed by another 1,700 on 22 October
Rajeev Syal
Probation officers get just days to prepare for early release of prisoners

88,521 Prison population in England and Wales as of yesterday, up 171 on last week and a new record figure

Probation officers have been given as little as a week's notice to prepare for serious offenders to be freed under the government's early-release scheme, the Guardian has been told.

About 2,000 prisoners are expected to be let out on Tuesday amid warnings of a coming rise in crime. But members of the probation officers' union, Napo, were only informed on 3 September that serious offenders would be released into their supervision.

Officers are usually given more than three months to prepare services to help monitor and rehabilitate a serious offender. The prison population in England and Wales reached a record high yesterday.

The justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said in July that the under which SDS40 scheme offenders with standard determinate sentences will be released after they have served 40% of their term - would be introduced in September to give the probation service time to prepare.

This story is from the September 07, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

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 September 07, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

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 GUARDIANView All
Prendergast plays hero in Ireland's historic triumph
The Guardian

Prendergast plays hero in Ireland's historic triumph

Ireland secured their first Twenty20 win against England yesterday, completing a record run chase off the penultimate ball after Mady Villiers attempted to force a run-out, missed the stumps and allowed the two Irish batters to run an overthrow.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 16, 2024
British hopes end with double defeat to Canada
The Guardian

British hopes end with double defeat to Canada

Dan Evans and Jack Draper fall to straight-sets losses in front of record home crowd.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 16, 2024
Set-piece killer Jover part of mania for detail that separates the Gunners from Tottenham
The Guardian

Set-piece killer Jover part of mania for detail that separates the Gunners from Tottenham

Yes, well, of course that was going to happen. Ange Postecoglou has a particular manner on the touchline, a way of standing in the same spot for long periods of time, fists bunched in his pockets, a little hangdog and sad, like a long-suffering dad at sports day.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 16, 2024
Explainer What the charges against City mean
The Guardian

Explainer What the charges against City mean

As an independent commission prepares to assess the 115 charges, here is everything you need to know

time-read
4 mins  |
September 16, 2024
Barnes' blast sinks stumbling Wolves as Howe calls for 'unity'
The Guardian

Barnes' blast sinks stumbling Wolves as Howe calls for 'unity'

If there is a civil war raging in the background, it seems to be suiting Newcastle very well.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 16, 2024
Piastri edges Baku battle as Norris closes on Verstappen
The Guardian

Piastri edges Baku battle as Norris closes on Verstappen

Engrossing and impossibly tense, Formula One might consider itself flattered if the final third of this season delivers with the same compelling drama as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 16, 2024
In the running Coe faces almighty fight to become IOC president - but write him off at your peril
The Guardian

In the running Coe faces almighty fight to become IOC president - but write him off at your peril

While most Britons were demolishing the last of the Christmas turkey in 1979, Sebastian Coe ran 14.4 miles up the Derwent Valley, defying everything that nature and the elements dared to throw at him.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 16, 2024
Airport expansion Operators hope plans will fly with pro-growth Labour
The Guardian

Airport expansion Operators hope plans will fly with pro-growth Labour

The younger, tormented minister considering his position before the Labour government granted Heathrow's third runway in 2009 might have been greatly relieved to know that, 15 years later, not a shovel would have touched the ground.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 16, 2024
England's north-south gap in rents shrinks to 11-year low
The Guardian

England's north-south gap in rents shrinks to 11-year low

The gap in rents paid by those in the north and south of England has closed to its lowest level in at least 11 years, figures show.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
Fight drown as epic’ floods sweep central and eastern Europe
The Guardian

Fight drown as epic’ floods sweep central and eastern Europe

Eight people have drowned in Austria, Poland and Romania with four others reported missing in the Czech Republic as Storm Boris continues to lash central and eastern Europe, bringing torrential rain and floods that have forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024