Alarm over early re-release of recalled prisoners as jail overcrowding crisis deepens

Whistleblower says over 1,000 inmates in England and Wales considered for the scheme which bypasses Parole Board

Criminals who have reoffended or broken probation restrictions are being re-released from prisons early on the government's direction under new measures to ease overcrowding.

Justice sources say jails are hurtling towards another capacity crisis despite Labour's ongoing early release scheme and attempts to shift more offenders into open prisons.