The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has notified more than 7,000 victims of crime that offenders who targeted them could be released from jail early as part of the government's justice reforms. As of June 23, 2026, the MoJ had written to 7,308 victims about legislative changes that may lead to earlier releases. These notifications are part of the Victim Contact Scheme, which allows victims to opt-in for updates.
These early releases are intended to alleviate pressure on prison capacity. However, reports indicate that prisons in England and Wales currently have 3,400 available spaces, an increase of 850 from the previous year. Conservatives have criticized the plan, suggesting that the number of victims notified so far represents only a fraction of those who may be affected.
The reforms will see prisoners serving sentences shorter than 18 months released first, beginning September 2. The program will then expand, with offenders serving longer sentences becoming eligible for release in subsequent months. Those with sentences exceeding 12 years, including some of the most dangerous criminals, are slated for release starting next June. Under the new guidelines, violent and sexual offenders may be eligible for release after serving half of their sentence, rather than the current two-thirds. Other inmates can be released after serving a third of their sentence for good behavior. Murderers serving mandatory life terms are excluded from these early release provisions.
Critics, including shadow justice minister Dr. Kieran Mullan, have voiced strong opposition. "Ministers refuse to tell us exactly how many criminals are being let out and what crimes they have committed," Mullan stated. "The public have a right to know exactly how many. This whole programme needs to be halted if the Government can't even answer basic questions and tell victims what's happening."
Victims Fiona Goddard and Sammy Woodhouse, who have previously waived their anonymity, have reported being informed that individuals involved in their cases could be released within months. The scale of the releases is a concern, with fears that hundreds of serious offenders could be freed in large batches, potentially on the same day, leading to increased police apprehension about a surge in offenders on the streets.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson defended the reforms, stating, "This government is fixing the prison crisis it inherited – building 14,000 more prison places and reforming sentencing so we can always lock up dangerous criminals." The spokesperson added that without these actions, prisons would face an inability to accommodate new inmates, risking a breakdown of the criminal justice system. They emphasized that public safety and victim support are top priorities, noting that dangerous offenders are automatically blocked from early release and that prisoners who misbehave face extended incarceration. Those released will be subject to strict conditions, including movement restrictions and tagging, supported by significant investment in probation services.
Past early release schemes implemented by Labour have seen celebratory scenes outside prisons, with some former inmates vowing continued support for the party. The current scheme's implementation is overseen by Justice Secretary David Lammy. Dr. Mullan has called for the cancellation of the scheme amidst the growing outcry from victims.