Throughout PMQs, we heard Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer repeatedly ask about the government’s
“decision to let prisoners out 70 days early”.

The early release scheme to ease prison overcrowding is
indeed being extended to 70 days.

When it was first announced on the basis that “we must do
whatever it takes to ensure that there are always enough prison places”, it let
some prisoners out up to 18 days before their official release date.

It was supposed to only apply to “less serious offenders”, so excluded, for example, anyone
serving a life sentence or anyone convicted for serious violence, terrorism or
sex offences.

The early release was extended to 35 and then to 60 days in
March 2024.

Last week, the government extended it further to up to 70
days from 23 May.