Prime Minister to review prisoner early release scheme following victim safety concerns
Victims' Commissioner: "As things stand, I do not have confidence that these releases can be managed in a way that fully safeguards victims, protects the public and maintains confidence in the justice system."
The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Claire Waxman OBE, has welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to review the prisoner early release scheme before the first releases take place in September.
The review follows growing concern about the implementation of the Sentencing Act 2026 and whether the safeguards promised to victims are in place.
Over recent months, the Victims’ Commissioner has repeatedly raised concerns with ministers and officials about the readiness of the scheme, including arrangements for risk assessment, victim communication, supervision of offenders in the community, and support for victims affected by the reforms.
On 22 July, the Commissioner wrote to both the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor setting out those concerns and urging them to make the issue an immediate priority.
This follows a rare coordinated intervention earlier this month, in which the Victims’ Commissioner and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner separately wrote to the Prisons Minister at the time, Lord Timpson, to formally raise their urgent concerns.
The Victims’ Commissioner has consistently warned that addressing pressures on prison capacity must not come at the expense of victim safety or public confidence in the justice system.
On 6 July, the Victims’ Commissioner wrote to the then Prisons Minister, Lord Timpson, expressing concerns about the readiness of the reforms and their implications for victims.
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s intervention, Claire Waxman OBE said:
Nobody can dispute the pressures on prison capacity or the need for government to respond to them. However, over recent months I have repeatedly raised concerns with ministers and officials that the safeguards promised to victims have not yet been fully delivered. I have today written to both the Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor setting out those concerns.
As things stand, I do not have confidence that these releases can be managed in a way that fully safeguards victims, protects the public and maintains confidence in the justice system.
The Prime Minister’s review provides an important opportunity to ensure the necessary safeguards are in place and to consider whether further protections are required.
I am clear: victim safety must remain the overriding priority. I look forward to engaging with the new Lord Chancellor, ministers and officials on behalf of victims and stand ready to support this work in any way I can.
Further reading
The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales has written to Minister Timpson to formally raise urgent concerns regarding the implementation of the Sentencing Act 2026 ahead of scheduled prison releases this September.
Published on July 8, 2026
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