The Ministry of Justice in the United Kingdom is reportedly considering significant changes to its Home Detention Curfew (HDC) scheme, potentially allowing some prisoners to be released on electronic tag after serving just one-sixth of their sentence. This move is part of a broader strategy to alleviate severe overcrowding in the nation's prisons.
Under the current system, prisoners become eligible for HDC, which involves electronic monitoring while they remain at home between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., after serving one-fifth of their custodial sentence. However, new sentencing models set to take effect in October could lower this eligibility threshold to one-sixth, meaning inmates could be moved to house arrest even earlier.
While eligibility does not guarantee release, the government is examining this and other measures to prevent prisons from reaching capacity. This includes exploring faster deportation of foreign nationals and reviewing indefinite sentences for public protection (IPP).
These potential changes come amid ongoing discussions surrounding the early release of offenders, including two individuals convicted of the killing of PC Andrew Harper in 2019. While the government aims to ease jail overcrowding, critics have voiced strong opposition. Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy labeled the proposed HDC changes an "outrage," advocating for expanded prison capacity and new facilities instead of short-term fixes.
The Labour party's early release scheme, initiated in September 2024, initially allowed certain prisoners to be released after serving 40% of their sentence. This was further modified by the Sentencing Act, which reduced the threshold to one-third for some fixed-term sentences. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has since excluded rapists and child sex offenders from this scheme, reducing the number of individuals expected to benefit from early release. Despite these exclusions, domestic abusers may still be eligible, sparking concern among campaigners.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson emphasized that public safety remains paramount, stating that plans are being expedited to keep serious offenders incarcerated. Exclusions already in place prevent early release for murderers, those serving life sentences, and individuals convicted of rape, serious child sexual abuse, and grooming offenses. The ministry attributes the current prison crisis to the state of the system inherited and is investing in building new prison places, expanding electronic tagging, and enhancing probation services. The review of early prisoner release schemes, led by Justice Secretary Alex Norris, is expected to be published when Parliament reconvenes from its summer recess.