Minister Ties Herself In Knots Over Whether Or Not Domestic Abusers Will Be Released From Jail Early

A minister was unable to explain if domestic abusers and sexual offenders would be released from prison early as part of government reforms.

Amid fears that jails will be full again in November, justice secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced plans to limit how long hundreds of repeat offenders can be recalled to prison.

These new measures will apply to offenders who were sentenced to between one and four years behind bars, then let out on licence before reoffending.

This has sparked fears sexual and domestic abusers will be among those let out early to prevent prison overcrowding.

Speaking to Times Radio this morning, Treasury minister Emma Reynolds initially said the policy will not apply to the most “dangerous offenders” – including those abusers – before apparently changing her mind.

She said: “No, it won’t apply to sexual offenders and domestic abusers. It won’t apply to the most dangerous criminals.”

Presenter Stig Abell cut in: “Forgive me, as I understand it the measure will apply to criminals whose sentences was between one and four years, and will exclude terrorists, those deemed by the police, prisons and probation services to be the highest risk to the public, and those who commit serious further offences.

“So people who get a prison sentence between one and four years will include domestic abusers and sexual offenders, they’ve not been formally excluded from this process?” 

She said: “Um, we need to be sure we have a prison system which works, so I would reassure the victims commissioner and others that it would be unacceptable if people carried out, um, we’re not going to endanger victims.

“This is a reform the Conservatives brought in that we are extending.”

Abell pointed out: “So just to be clear, I just want to be really clear about this, because The Times is reporting that it does include domestic abusers and sexual offenders.

“You said it didn’t, but I think it does, because it’s anyone whose sentence was originally between one and four years.”

She said: “It’s people whose sentence is between one and four years, and that is an extension of a Tory policy that was brought in.”

Abell pushed: “But that does include domestic abusers and sexual offenders, is the point I’m making?”

Reynolds replied: “Not the most dangerous criminals.”