Victims’ Commissioner raises concerns over public protection as early releases begin

“The first responsibility of any government is to keep its citizens safe.

“Tomorrow, the first tranche of offenders will be released early into the community, with further releases scheduled in the coming weeks. Victims and the public have been repeatedly assured that robust safeguards are in place and that those released will face the toughest supervision ever imposed on offenders in the community. Those are significant claims. 

“As Victims’ Commissioner, my concern is that the confidence being projected by government is not yet matched by the reality on the ground. Bold assertions in press releases are no substitute for effective planning, robust preparation and consistent delivery. All three have been in short supply.

“This began as a prison capacity crisis. It risks becoming an issue of public safety. Recent reports from inspectors, alongside continuing concerns from frontline services, raise searching questions about whether the systems responsible for managing risk have the capacity, resources and expertise to meet this challenge, and the information-sharing and coordination needed to identify and manage risk effectively.

“Electronic monitoring, restriction zones and licence conditions can only protect victims if they are properly implemented, monitored and enforced. Unless the probation service is properly resourced and set up to succeed, those safeguards risk becoming little more than window dressing in a press release.

“The coming weeks will provide the first real test of whether the safeguards described by government are working in practice. The government may judge success by whether this programme creates lasting prison capacity. Victims will judge it by whether they are informed, protected and supported; whether breaches are acted upon swiftly and effectively; and whether they can have confidence that their safety remains the overriding priority.”