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Prison governors warn early release scheme is leading to rapid inmate recalls

Midlands and northern prison governors say early releases have created a revolving door, while Prime Minister Andy Burnham announces exclusions for those convicted of unlawful killing.

Updated Aug 30, 2026 · 19:27 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • Prison governors told the BBC that inmates released early under the 2024 scheme to ease overcrowding are rapidly returning to jail due to reoffending and license breaches.
  • Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that the next early release scheme in October will exclude anyone convicted of unlawful killing, keeping hundreds more people in custody.
  • England and Wales prisons remain over 97% full with roughly 2,000 spaces remaining, as license recalls rose 28% in the year ending March 2026.

Key facts

  • Prison governors reported that inmates freed under the 2024 early release initiative are rapidly returning to custody after committing new offenses or violating release conditions.[BBC News]
  • Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that individuals convicted of unlawful killing will be excluded from the upcoming October early release scheme.[BBC News]
  • More than 70,000 individuals were released under the 2024 early release scheme as of March 2026.[BBC News]
  • Official figures show 51,419 license recalls occurred in the year ending March 2026, a 28% increase from 40,259 the previous year.[BBC News]
  • Prisons in England and Wales are operating at over 97% capacity, leaving just over 2,000 empty spaces across a total population of nearly 87,000 prisoners.[BBC News]
  • The Ministry of Justice stated it is building 14,000 new prison spaces, expanding electronic tagging, and reforming recall durations.[BBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • The exact number of prisoners affected by the revised October early release exclusions remains unspecified, though official statements expected in Parliament aim to clarify the count.[BBC News]

Sources