A senior police official has warned that Labour's plan to release approximately 6,000 prisoners early could lead to cuts in neighborhood policing and incur costs of hundreds of millions of pounds for police forces. The early release scheme is part of the Government's new Sentencing Act, intended to alleviate jail overcrowding.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has temporarily halted the scheme's September start date pending an urgent review by himself and Justice Secretary Alex Norris. This decision follows public outcry over the possibility of PC Andrew Harper's killers being released after serving only half their sentences.
Assistant Chief Constable Jason Devonport, who also serves as the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for criminal justice reform, stated that while policing will remain ready to protect the public, the early release of prisoners presents difficult choices for law enforcement. He described the situation as an "uncomfortable reality" where "criminals will spend less time in prison and more time being managed in communities."
Devonport highlighted that police forces have been preparing for these changes, noting an increase in arrests for recall to prison, breaches of bail conditions, and domestic abuse protection orders. However, he cautioned that increased pressure on other agencies to manage offenders does not address reoffending and will divert resources from other priorities. He estimated the cost to policing alone could reach "hundreds of millions of pounds."
According to Devonport, police forces lack financial flexibility to absorb these costs, and their workforce is not expanding to meet the additional demand. This situation will compel police chiefs to make difficult decisions, potentially reallocating officers from valuable functions like neighborhood policing or anti-social behavior units to manage higher-risk offenders being released early. He indicated that forces are currently re-evaluating priorities in light of the Sentencing Act's implications.
Reports suggest that rapists may be exempt from the early release scheme following the Prime Minister's review, but individuals convicted of other serious offenses, including manslaughter, are expected to qualify. Senior Tory MP Chris Philp has criticized Labour's policy, accusing the party of failing to protect the public and allowing victims and law-abiding citizens to live in fear. Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's home affairs spokesman, echoed these concerns, stating that the early release of dangerous criminals would force cuts to neighborhood police services.