Criminals could walk free after serving just a third of their jail terms under explosive new Labour plans branded “Soft Justice” by Tories.
In a sweeping overhaul of Britain’s justice system, offenders who complete work, training or education and keep out of trouble could be released early in a bid to tackle the spiralling prison overcrowding crisis.
The controversial shake-up would axe the current system where prisoners are automatically let out 40 per cent of the way through their sentences, a move already drawing fierce criticism.
Under the new proposals, convicts will be handed both minimum and maximum jail terms. But those who play by the rules will earn their ticket out early, potentially after just a third of their time behind bars.
According to The Telegraph, the proposals are part of a landmark review led by former Justice Secretary David Gauke, which will be unveiled next week. It is expected to be the biggest sentencing shake-up in more than 30 years, ending a one-size-fits-all policy introduced by the 1991 Criminal Justice Act.
“Soft Justice” or smart reform? The jury’s out. But critics fear the move will let potentially dangerous criminals back onto Britain’s streets far too soon, while Labour insists it’s about rewarding rehabilitation, not weakness.
The review comes as Britain’s jails teeter on the brink, with just 900 spare spaces left in men’s prisons, a staggering 99 per cent of the 89,300 capacity already filled. Ministry of Justice officials warn we’ll run out of space completely by early 2026.
In a bid to stem the tide, Labour has already been quietly releasing prisoners earlier, as little as 40 per cent of the way through their sentence, under a scheme introduced in September.
Many will remember, dangerous offenders including stalkers and domestic abusers were wrongly freed under Keir Starmer’s chaotic early release scheme last year. Among them was Djaber Benallaoua, 20, a convicted drug dealer, who bragged: “I thank Labour. Because I’ve come out five or six months early than I was supposed to.”
Labour came under fire after some released inmates went on to reoffend almost immediately, fuelling outrage over what critics call reckless and “Soft Justice” policies.
However, now Labour want to go even further. The new “third, third, third” model would see “well-behaved inmates” serving just a third of their time in prison, followed by a third on “enhanced licence”, complete with tags, curfews, and even passport seizures, and a final third on regular licence, where any slip-up would see them hauled back to jail.
The model is inspired by a Texan scheme introduced in 2011 to address their own overcrowding crisis. In Texas, inmates can get out after just a quarter of their sentence if they work hard and behave, accruing “good behaviour” credits.
But what of people like Lucy Connolly, who is currently in jail for a Facebook post? If Labour is serious about freeing up prison spaces, perhaps they should start there.
