Hearing that their perpetrators may be released months or even years earlier than expected will strike fear into the hearts of many victims and survivors (Lack of safeguards over prisoners’ early release puts abuse victims at risk, Lammy warned, 8 July). Worse still, unless eligible for the victim contact scheme, which few are, most victims have no way of finding out in advance if they are affected.

Fixing the prisons crisis is essential, but victims and survivors must not be an afterthought in the government’s plan. A failure to get it right could irreparably damage victims’ sense of safety and trust in the justice system. Once again, victims are bearing the brunt of a broken system. Every victim deserves to be listened to, treated with respect and given the timely support and information they need.
Katie Kempen
Chief executive, Victim Support

Prisoners are going to be released earlier, as they would be released partway through their sentence normally. So it is “earlier” release, not “early” release.

There are three good reasons to release prisoners early. First, if they serve their full prison term inside, they are released with no supervision or possibility of recall, arguably putting victims at greater risk. Second, the purpose of early release is to provide a period of supervision back in the community after a period when they experience dire prison conditions and lose all power to make choices and decisions. Third, prison sentences have been grossly inflated over the past 30 years and early (and earlier) releases bring sentences back to a reasonable term.

Something must be done about prisons and sentences. Earlier releases are expedient, but not an answer. The government must be brave and honest with the public – prisons are doing more harm than good, and we need radical change. I’d be happy to help.
Frances Crook
Former CEO, Howard League for Penal Reform