In July 2024, the Government announced that sentences for serious violent offences of four years or more, as well as sex offences, would be automatically excluded from the new early release scheme. What we were promised has now changed and some of the most violent offenders are set to be released.

We call for an immediate pause to this scheme and a full review. We believe those convicted of serious violent offences, including domestic abuse offences such as controlling or coercive behaviour, non-fatal strangulation and stalking, should be excluded from early release. We were promised that those convicted of the most serious crimes and sentenced to 4 years+ would be excluded. We believe the Government has U-turned and begun including these individuals for early release. This leaves many victims feeling as though justice has not been delivered. We believe it is an insult to survivors across the nation and risks the public losing confidence in reporting crimes, when that is already such a significant issue.