Dangerous prisoners were let out on Christmas Eve last year

Violent criminals and sex offenders were let out of jail on Christmas Eve last year – posing a threat to public safety, the Labour Party has revealed.

Data obtained by the Opposition showed 1,724 criminals were released under various schemes over the festive period last year.

It included nearly 1,377 rewarded with temporary release to spend Christmas with family and friends. Others were granted early release or ordered to wear an electronic tag under the ‘home detention curfew’ scheme.

Of the total, 145 – including those convicted of sexual offences, robbery and violence – were let out early without any need to return, Labour said, plus 202 freed on tags.

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Violent criminals and sex offenders were let out of jail on Christmas Eve last year – posing a threat to public safety, the Labour Party has revealed

Labour said it raised fears dangerous criminals will be free to roam the streets this Christmas too.

The party’s justice spokesman Steve Reed said: ‘Victims will be horrified to learn the criminals who harmed them have been let out of jail.

‘Just when you thought the Tory Government couldn’t get any weaker on crime, sex offenders and violent criminals have been let out to enjoy Christmas instead of serving their full sentence in jail. Our country needs a government that is serious about getting tough on crime.’ The Ministry of Justice figures covered England and Wales.

A Conservative source hit back: ‘Labour released thousands of prisoners early because they didn’t build enough prison places, and recently voted against longer jail time for dangerous criminals.

‘Labour is weak on crime, and this Conservative Government is doing whatever it takes to protect the public.’

A Prison Service spokesman said: ‘For 60 years it has been a legal requirement to release prisoners on the last working day before their release date if it falls on a weekend or bank holiday so that they can access vital services and support.

‘Prison governors have discretion to arrange day release, subject to careful risk-assessment and strict conditions, to support prisoners’ rehabilitation and help cut crime.’

Last month the Ministry of Justice said it would have to keep prisoners in police cells because jails were full. The prison population is now at 82,700, a rise driven by a surge in the number of remand prisoners awaiting trial due to Covid delays and barrister strikes.