Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to repeal provisions allowing the early release of certain serious offenders, arguing that ministers have the legal power to stop further releases before they take place.
In an article published on X, Mrs Badenoch criticised the Government's sentencing policy and urged newly appointed Justice Secretary Alex Norris to revoke the regulations underpinning the early release scheme.
She wrote:
"If those prison gates open in September it will be because Andy Burnham chose to open them."
Mrs Badenoch argued that, under the Government's sentencing reforms, offenders convicted of serious crimes, including some convicted of sexual offences, manslaughter and other violent offences, could become eligible for earlier release than would previously have been the case.
She claimed that:
- around 220 offenders convicted of child rape could become eligible for early release;
- 85 offenders convicted of manslaughter could also qualify;
- more than 6,000 sexual and violent offenders are expected to become eligible in phased monthly releases.
Burnham's Government has previously announced that aspects of the early release programme have been paused pending a review, although Mrs Badenoch argued that a review alone was insufficient.
She wrote:
"Under review is government speak for simply not making a decision."
Instead, she called on ministers to revoke the legal provisions authorising the scheme.
Mrs Badenoch also set out what she described as a three-part alternative strategy:
Build
Increase prison capacity by accelerating the construction of new prisons.
Rent
Pursue agreements with overseas governments to rent prison places, pointing to Sweden's arrangement with Estonia as an example and noting that the previous Conservative Government legislated to permit similar agreements.
Remove
Increase the removal of foreign national offenders by negotiating additional prisoner transfer agreements with other countries.
Mrs Badenoch argued that increasing prison capacity and expanding deportation arrangements would reduce pressure on the prison system without releasing serious offenders earlier.
The Conservative leader also referred to the case of Liam Matthews, who was released early from prison before later being convicted of the murder of Lewis Bell, arguing that the case demonstrated the potential risks associated with early release policies.
She concluded by offering Conservative support should the Government introduce legislation reversing the provisions relating to serious offenders.
Mrs Badenoch wrote:
"If Burnham repeals the early release provisions so far as they touch serious offenders, we will vote for it."
She added that ministers do not need to wait for Parliament to return in September if they wish to halt the planned releases.
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