A scheme to allow prisoners to be released early because of a lack of space has been extended indefinitely, Sky News can reveal.
Ministers have also expanded the number of jails letting out prisoners before the end of their sentence, according to leaked documents.
Originally, the early release scheme – known as the End of Custody Supervised Licence (ECSL) – applied to 21 jails, but has since been “updated” to apply in others.
The scheme, outlined in October, allowed prisoners to be released up to 18 days before the end of their sentence to reduce an “acute and exceptional demand” on prison places.
Guidance to prisons obtained by Sky News reveals the scheme has now been “activated for an undefined period”.
Officials insist this does not mean the scheme is permanent but have been unable to supply a date of when the ECSL will end.
They deny this marks a fixed alteration to the way they will manage prisons in the future.
The changes could allow more people found guilty of domestic abuse related crimes, among others, to be released early.
Those guilty of more serious offences, serving sentences of more than four years, are not eligible for early release.
‘Activated for an undefined period’
When introduced by the government, ministers stressed the ECSL was “temporary”.
But leaked documents of government guidance sent to prison and probation staff now says their scheme has been “revised”.
An “urgent contingency” scheme which is “now activated for an undefined period” has been “updated to facilitate/ support activation in new prisons”, the guidance says.
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Senior staff have been given escalation criteria to consider blocking inmates from early release. But the documents stress escalation should only be in exceptional circumstances.
The documents say: “As a general principle…
