Nearly 40,000 convicted criminals have been let out of prison under Labour’s early release scheme, figures show. A staggering 38,042 were released between September 2024 and June 2025 to prevent a repeat of the prison overcrowding crisis.
This included 4,358 in June, the second-highest monthly total since October 2024, when ministers feared a collapse in law and order, with prisons unable to take in new convicts. A record number of offenders – 1,850 – were ordered to serve part of their sentences at home in June, Ministry of Justice figures show. In total, 10,835 have been allowed to finish their sentences at home under the Home Detention Curfew Scheme.
An additional 25,000 have been let out with “conditional releases”.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Under this Government, crime pays. Already 38,000 offenders have been released early – and soon tens of thousands will avoid prison altogether. Criminals will be licking their lips, free to offend and wreck our communities all over again.”
This is a breaking story. More to follow.
