What happens when Britain frees thousands of prisoners at once?
An early-discharge programme has shone light on a problem
Few things are more certain to generate bad headlines than releasing thousands of prisoners early—as Britain’s government did last autumn. Some of the country’s more attention-seeking villains duly arranged showy cars, and were only too happy to brief the waiting press. “Big up Keir Starmer,” said Daniel Dowling-Brooks, who had been in for kidnap and grievous bodily harm. Things got worse when it emerged that 37 inmates had been wrongly released. One committed a sexual assault hours after being freed.
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This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “You’d better release me”
Britain
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From the April 5th 2025 edition
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Even the government’s strongest argument, national security, needs closer scrutiny
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Growing numbers are heading abroad for cosmetic and other medical procedures
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British telephone boxes are getting a facelift, of sorts
Grimy phone boxes are becoming shiny billboards
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Whitehall talk of “boosts” and “bumper packages” is meant to clarify. Instead it confuses.