United Kingdom Prison & Criminal Justice TopicsGeneral discussion forum for the UK. Come in and discuss issues in the British justice/prison system as well as your own personal issues.
Up to 4000 UK prisoners to be released early due to the spread of Covid 19
Up to 4,000 prisoners in England and Wales are to be released in an effort to control the spread of coronavirus, the Ministry of Justice has said.
Inmates with two months or less still to serve will be released on temporary licence in stages.
The selected low-risk offenders will be electronically tagged and can be recalled at the first sign of concern.
It is seen as a way to avoid thousands of prisoners - many of whom share cells - becoming infected.
Across 29 UK jails, 88 prisoners have tested positive for the virus with a further 1,200 believed to be self-isolating.
Sex offenders and those convicted of violent offences, as well as anyone who is a national security concern or a danger to children, will not be considered for release, the Prison Service said.
No inmate convicted of Covid-19-related offences - including coughing at emergency workers or stealing personal protective equipment - will be eligible either, said the Ministry of Justice (MoJ)