Domestic violence victims at risk under bill aimed at easing prison overcrowding, watchdog warns

Nicole Jacobs, the domestic abuse commissioner, says domestic abuse perpetrators who are recalled are “among the most dangerous”. Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian

Violent partners will be allowed to “return to harassing, stalking and abusing” with impunity under a bill before parliament that is supposed to ease prison overcrowding, a watchdog has warned the lord chancellor.

In a letter to David Lammy, the domestic abuse commissioner, Dame Nicole Jacobs, said the sentencing bill’s aim to re-release the vast majority of offenders recalled to prison after 56 days would mean that victims and survivors “will be put in harm’s way” and lead to “devastating consequences”.