Second Wave of Early Prisoner Releases Begins in England and Wales

Over 650 prisoners released in second stage of government plan to ease overcrowding. Victims' groups voice concerns.

October 13, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — London, United Kingdom — A new phase of the government’s early release initiative has begun, with over 650 offenders being freed from prisons across England and Wales on Tuesday.

The second stage of the program marks a shift in strategy, as individuals serving longer sentences are now being released, following the initial wave that saw around 700 prisoners leave custody in early October. The effort is part of a broader push to address prison population pressures, with more than 5,000 inmates expected to be released in stages throughout the next year.

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While some prisoners expressed relief at their early release, advocacy groups for victims have raised concerns about the potential risks. The policy, launched under the Labour Party’s framework, will eventually see those serving more than 12 years in prison released by June 2027. A prisoner recently urged Andy Burnham to reconsider the recall system as the second phase of the initiative takes effect.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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