Prison early release scheme to include some serious offenders, MoJ admits

Prisoners serving time for lesser crime following serious one will be eligible under plan to free up jail space, officials confirm

Some serious offenders will be eligible for early release under a scheme to free up prison space in England and Wales, the Ministry of Justice has admitted, despite saying previously they would not qualify.

The MoJ has confirmed that prisoners who have completed a sentence for a serious crime and are now serving a consecutive sentence for a lesser one would be allowed to leave prison earlier than planned.