'Dangerous Sexual Abusers' Set Free to 'Roam' Streets as Reform UK Sounds Alarm Over 4,500 Early Releases

File photo of inmates in prison: around 700 UK inmates were released early (Credit: Ron Lack/Pexels)

Some 700 inmates were released early on Thursday, as part of the government's early release programme to prevent the collapse of the prison system, which has been running at 98% capacity, according to the Ministry of Justice. But that's just one way of looking at the early release programme.

For critics, the scheme means putting 'dangerous criminals' back on the streets. 'Some of these criminals that are being released today are dangerous sexual abusers, domestic violence perpetrators, and they will be free to roam,' said MP Sarah Pochin in a Reform UK video shot outside HMP Brixton.

'Thank you, Andy Burnham'

Reporters were stationed outside prisons to talk to inmates who were released on 1 October 2026. One told reporters: 'Get out of my face!' Others were more chatty and thanked Prime Minister Andy Burnham for the programme.

One even said he was willing to vote Labour in the next election, even though he had never voted before. Some of those who were released early confirmed that it was really crowded in the cells. 'It eases the overcrowding. It's crowded as anything in there. There's not a lot of cell free, doubling up high-risk cells.'

The new early prisoner release scheme has begun today in England and Wales, with hundreds of inmates set to be let out sooner than previously expected.

Over the next year, thousands of prisoners will be let out on licence early.

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/i7q8shAPYE pic.twitter.com/jIBt1wtB76

— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 1, 2026

But where do they go after their release? Some have no idea. One said he needs to do probation and hopes that there will be access to a place that he could rent when doing so.

Another said: 'We're actually released with nowhere to stay. Luckily, I've got a few friends that I can stay at. But the people who don't, they'll be back doing whatever they're doing.'

The first wave of prisoners have been freed under the early release scheme.

They'll be buying kebabs, getting girlfriends, and (maybe) voting Labour. pic.twitter.com/LhYMowwTcy

— LBC (@LBC) October 1, 2026

4,500 Inmates To Be Free

Such a case is exactly what Reform UK is afraid of. 'Some of these criminals that are being released today are dangerous sexual abusers, domestic violence perpetrators and they will be free to roam. They're coming out untagged, free to roam the streets, find their victims and seek revenge,' Pochin also said, referencing her 20 years of experience as a magistrate.

Labour have utterly betrayed victims of domestic abuse.

Reform UK will end the early release of dangerous criminals and put British women and girls first. pic.twitter.com/o3L9NK35LI

— Reform UK (@reformparty_uk) October 1, 2026

The hundreds of inmates were just the first tranche of early releases. Some 4,500 are expected to benefit from the changes, with releases being phased between October 2026 and June 2027.

The Government’s early release programme begins right now. I’m outside Brixton Prison to witness it first-hand. pic.twitter.com/xt2QgK9DKj

— Sarah Pochin MP (@SarahForRuncorn) October 1, 2026

'From today, we'll see the start of 4,500 dangerous criminals being released onto our streets. Putting the safety of those women at risk. The government could solve this problem by other means,' Pochin added. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage had said earlier that if they had control over the government, they would lease spaces from other countries for foreign-born inmates.

'Toughest Restrictions Ever'

While Reform UK claims the inmates were released untagged, the Ministry of Justice has said that the beneficiaries of the early release programme would be 'monitored under the toughest supervision in British history.'

Offenders leaving prison will face tougher restrictions ever & closer supervision.

GPS tagging, new restriction zones & bans from pubs, clubs & other public events will help to put victims first, protect the public & hold offenders accountable.https://t.co/92qwRHvAhw pic.twitter.com/LfHQl77MZ6

— Ministry of Justice (@MoJGovUK) October 1, 2026

'Today we are introducing the toughest ever range of tools to control prison leavers and better protect the public,' said Secretary of State for Justice Alex Norris. 'We understand the anxiety victims face ahead of offenders' release dates, but the greatest danger to victims would be prisons running out of cells for dangerous criminals, which was the crisis this government inherited.'