More than 70,000 individuals have been released from prison early under a Labour-initiated scheme. The latest data indicates that 9,958 offenders were freed during the first three months of 2026, bringing the cumulative total since the program's inception in September 2024 to 70,066.
This existing scheme, known as SDS40, was introduced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood when she served as justice secretary. It permits criminals to be released after serving just 40 percent of their court-imposed sentence. According to Ministry of Justice data, releases averaged 3,319 per month between January and March 2026. With an additional four months having passed since the data collection period, the total number of early releases is estimated to exceed 83,000.
The figures emerge as the government faces increasing pressure regarding plans for a new early release scheme scheduled to launch in September 2026. This new program is intended to replace SDS40 and is expected to encompass a wider range of offenders, including those convicted of serious violent and sexual offenses. Under the proposed system, most offenders could be eligible for release after serving one-third of their sentence if they have demonstrated good behavior, while those convicted of serious violent and sexual crimes would be eligible at the halfway point of their sentence.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham recently paused the implementation of the new scheme following criticism, notably from Lissie Harper, the widow of murdered PC Andrew Harper. Harper has described the plans as 'deplorable,' particularly after it became known that two individuals convicted in her husband's death could be eligible for early release under the new policy. Victims of child sex grooming gangs have also expressed opposition, stating that their abusers would benefit from the proposed releases.
The existing SDS40 program saw public attention in September 2024 when images circulated of individuals celebrating their early release outside correctional facilities. Some were reportedly met by friends and observed to be celebrating with champagne.
Labour officials have frequently stated that these early releases are necessary to alleviate overcrowding in prisons, attributing the problem to a failure by the previous Conservative government to address jail capacity during their tenure.