Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy is facing criticism over his government's plan to potentially release thousands of sex offenders early from prison. The proposals, aimed at easing overcrowding, would allow some inmates to be freed after serving just one-third of their sentence for good behavior, a reduction from the current two-thirds.
Shadow minister Sir James Cleverly challenged Lammy during Prime Minister's Questions, pressing him to guarantee that no rapists or paedophiles would be released early this year. Lammy, standing in for the Prime Minister who is attending a NATO summit, did not provide such a guarantee. Instead, he attributed the need for such measures to the policies of the previous government and highlighted his administration's investments in probation services, electronic tagging, and initiatives like income reduction orders and expanded chemical castration for sex offenders.
The Sentencing Act, enacted earlier this year, permits the early release of most criminals, including some sex offenders, after completing a third of their sentence if they demonstrate good behavior. The Ministry of Justice has reportedly notified over 7,300 victims that the offender who targeted them might qualify for early release. These releases are scheduled to occur in stages between September and June of next year.
Reports indicate that members of an incoming administration are reviewing the policy, specifically examining how to exclude child sex offenders from the early release scheme. This review includes assessing whether legislative changes would be necessary to reverse the effects of the Act, which was passed under Sir Keir Starmer's leadership.