Andy Burnham has bowed to pressure over his early prisoner release scheme, barring rapists and serious child sex offenders – including those convicted of grooming offences – from qualifying. But the row is far from over.
The prime minister said he understood the “anxiety and distress” caused by the scheme and insisted he “wanted to go even further,” but warned that doing so risked the collapse of the entire prison system.
He’s promised tougher measures in exchange, including a “presumption” that all offenders are tagged, longer periods of supervision and new restriction zones for offenders.
Not everyone thinks the changes are sufficient. Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy called it a “victory for victims” but said it “doesn't go far enough.” Domestic abuse commissioner Dame Nicole Jacobs went further still, saying leaving domestic abusers eligible is “wrong and puts victims’ lives at risk.”
So – should the scheme go ahead as planned, or should ministers exclude even more offenders? Cast your vote below and have your say in the comments.
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