It has been reported by Sky News that an emergency plan to prevent overcrowding in jails is set to go into effect. Operation Early Dawn is a strategy that allows defendants awaiting trial to be kept in prison cells for longer periods until there is available space in the event they are remanded in custody. This operation is expected to commence on Monday morning, potentially causing delays or adjournments in court dates.
With the recent riots across the UK leading to a significant increase in arrests, the capacity of the prison system has been stretched to its limits. The swift arrests and subsequent charges of individuals involved in the riots have added to the overcrowding issue. Mark Fairhurst, chairman of the Prison Officers’ Association, warned that the Operation Early Dawn plan would be activated due to the shortage of prison spaces.
The regions of North East and North West have been particularly impacted by the overcrowding, with offenders having to be transferred long distances from home to serve their sentences. The Ministry of Justice has acknowledged that violence and self-harm in prisons have reached unacceptable levels, with overcrowding pushing some facilities to the brink of collapse. A recent inspection of HMP Wandsworth in London revealed chaotic conditions due to poor leadership.
In an effort to alleviate the overcrowding crisis, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced plans to reduce the minimum sentence requirement for parole eligibility from 50% to 40%. This move is expected to result in the release of 5,500 individuals in September and October. However, certain offenders, such as those convicted of terrorism, sex offenses, domestic abuse, and violent crimes, will not be eligible for early release.
Operation Early Dawn was previously implemented by the government in May as a temporary measure to address overcrowding in jails. The Law Society had expressed concerns about the potential delays in court cases and the uncertainty faced by solicitors regarding the scheduling of their clients’ hearings. The Ministry of Justice has assured that there will be enough prison spaces available to handle the influx of offenders and ensure swift justice for criminal acts.
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