Prisons will be allowed to release some "less serious offenders" on probation early to relieve overcrowding in jails in England and Wales, the justice secretary, Alex Chalk, has said.
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00:00 Now, Madam Deputy Speaker, we must do whatever it takes to ensure that there are always enough
00:05 prison places to lock up the most dangerous offenders to keep the British people safe,
00:09 to ensure criminals can be brought to justice, and maintain safety and decency in the prison
00:14 estate.
00:15 So we've decided to use the power in section 248 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 to allow
00:20 the prison service to move some less serious offenders out of prison onto licence up to
00:25 18 days before their automatic release date.
00:28 Let me be clear.
00:30 This will not apply to anyone serving a life sentence, anyone serving an extended determinant
00:35 sentence, anyone serving a sentence for an offence of particular concern, anyone convicted
00:40 of a serious violence offence, anyone convicted of terrorism, anyone convicted of a sex offence.
00:46 And this power will only be used for a limited period and only in targeted areas.
00:51 Every offender will be placed under strict licence conditions which provide a step down
00:55 from custody to living in the community.
00:57 This may include, first, being made to wear an electronic tag when needed to manage them
01:02 safely.
01:03 Second, a condition not to contact an aimed individual, directly or indirectly.
01:09 Third, having delivered an address approved by their probation officer.
01:13 Fourth, attending appointments.
01:15 And fifth, a condition not to enter certain areas such as particular postcodes.