Prisoners released from overcrowded jails spark public risk fears
HUNDREDS of potentially dangerous prisoners have been released early from the country's overcrowded jails this year, sparking fears that the mass clear-out is putting the public at risk.
The huge increase in Home Detention Curfews since the start of the year comes after the MoJ relaxed the process for assessing suitability.
HDCs involve the prisoner staying at a designated address under strict curfews for the remainder of their sentence. If breached, they can be recalled to prison.
As of Friday there were 3,207 on home detentions, a rise of about 1,000 since January.
The figure had previously been static at around 2,000.
Sex offenders and anyone sentenced to four or more years are not eligible but others - including those convicted of domestic violence - are, and could even be released to their partner's homes under new guidance.
The push to release more inmates comes as overcrowding sparks a record level of jail violence.
Almost 80 of the 121 prisons in England and Wales are now overcrowded, with some heading towards double capacity.
Official figures show there were 29,485 assaults - nearly 9,000 against warders - last year, an increase of 13 per cent on 2016.
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The Prison Officers' Association says that rather than a "panicked" response by the Ministry of Justice, more capacity should be created in the system.
Mark Fairhurst, the POA's national chairman, said: "In an attempt to reduce overcrowding, the Secretary of State relaxed the criteria for home detention curfews. We hope this panic measure does not place the public at risk."
An MoJ spokesman said: "We have not changed the criteria - registered sex offenders and those serving over four years remain ineligible.
"We are simply reducing the number of forms used in the assessment process whilst maintaining the strict eligibility and suitability tests."