The number of prisoners released by mistake has more than doubled in one year, official figures show

LAYLI FOROUDI, ALVISE ARMELLINI and AMINA ISMAIL report on the crisis in jails taking place as Europe battles increasingly extreme heatwaves.

The number of prisoners released by mistake has more than doubled in one year, official figures show

New bill seeks to allow judges to split sentences up to 30 years.

Dame Angela Eagle, the Home Office minister, refused to deny reports that some inmates could serve their sentences in the eastern European country, and admitted there were too few places in UK prisons

The article highlights the growing issue of prisoners released under early release schemes rapidly reoffending and being recalled to prison, exacerbating overcrowding in UK jails. Governors report that over 20% of prisoners on recall are returning within months, with some cases involving repeat offenses. The Ministry of Justice has faced criticism for its handling of the crisis, as the current system allows up to 14 days for recalls without judicial oversight. Recent reforms include extending recall periods and building 14,000 new prison places, but these measures are seen as insufficient to address the systemic underfunding and poor conditions in existing facilities. The article also notes that over a quarter of prison cells fail fire safety standards, raising concerns about public safety. Experts warn that the current approach risks enabling more serious crimes by failing to rehabilitate offenders effectively. Meanwhile, victims of crime are being given greater influence over licence conditions for released prisoners, though this remains controversial amid ongoing debates about balancing punishment with rehabilitation.

Male prisons in England and Wales currently have fewer than 1,800 available spaces, the lowest level since March, despite government efforts to address overcrowding. Over 83,000 male inmates occupy these facilities, with the government's policy of presuming against short jail terms for under one year failing to significantly reduce numbers. Prison staff attribute this to high rates of offenders being recalled for breaching licence conditions or reoffending, counteracting the intended space relief. Since June, vacant spaces have declined, prompting plans to release 5,000 inmates early from October. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is expanding electronic tagging and building new prisons while exploring early release options. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has exempted more prisoners from the scheme following backlash, including ensuring killers of PC Andrew Harper are excluded. The MoJ emphasized public safety as a priority, vowing to keep serious offenders incarcerated. The article highlights systemic challenges in prison management and political pressures to balance overcrowding with justice reforms.

Stefka Gishanova, a 55-year-old Bulgarian national, was sentenced to a suspended 12-month prison term for targeting elderly passengers on London buses. The court ruled that her sentence would be deferred under Labour's Sentencing Act, which aims to alleviate prison overcrowding by reducing custodial terms for non-violent offenders. Gishanova stole £1,900 in cash and personal items from a pensioner, with the stolen funds intended for family Christmas gifts. She also targeted a disabled Muslim pensioner on a bus heading to evening prayers, stealing a £1,400 mobile phone. The judge emphasized that her actions were deliberate and harmful, particularly given the vulnerability of elderly victims. Despite her guilty plea and lack of prior convictions, she received a reduced sentence due to health reasons. The case highlights broader concerns about prison capacity in the UK, where new facilities like HMP Millsike near York remain understaffed despite being built to hold 1,500 inmates. Critics argue that leniency for non-violent crimes may undermine justice, especially when victims face severe financial and emotional impacts from thefts.

via World news | The Guardian — In today’s newsletter: As ministers scramble to resolve overcrowding in prisons, experts say the crisis demands a rethink of who we lock up – and what happens when they’re set free Good morning. On his family holiday last week, the prime minister, Andy Burnham, was reported to be taking daily calls from Ministry of Justice officials about his government’s early release scheme. A furious public outcry has gathered pace since it emerged that the plan – brought in by his predecessor, Keir Starmer,

The Irish Penal Reform Trust says prison officers are working in volatile conditions.

Governor can conditionally advance parole dates for inmates during declared state emergencies

Commissioner to evaluate parole eligibility advancements if prison exceeds 95 percent capacity.

Committee begins meeting on prison overcrowding bill, plans to reconvene on Friday.

Inmates at Villepinte prison, located in the Seine-Saint-Denis suburb outside Paris, have described conditions inside the facility as unbearable and inhumane amid a severe heatwave affecting France. The prison is significantly overcrowded, holding around 1,332 detainees despite an official capacity of 703, forcing nearly 200 prisoners to sleep on mattresses on the floor or on improvised bedding arrangements. Cells measuring roughly nine square metres are often shared by multiple inmates, intensifying discomfort during periods of extreme heat. During a recent unannounced visit, French MP Clémentine Autain observed the conditions alongside AFP journalists. Some prisoners reported that high temperatures, limited ventilation, and insect infestations made nights especially difficult. One detainee described using makeshift coverings in an attempt to block mosquitoes while noting that tensions among inmates rise in the heat. Another young prisoner collapsed in the yard and had to be taken away in a wheelchair, underscoring the physical strain caused by the conditions. The article also highlights systemic overcrowding in French prisons, with national figures reaching a record 88,654 inmates as of May 1. In Villepinte, inmates reported limited access to showers—only three times per week—and deteriorating sanitation conditions, including mould in shared facilities. The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture has warned that severe overcrowding in French prisons may amount to inhuman or degrading treatment under international law. Some detainees and staff suggested that delays in the justice system contribute to overcrowding, with calls for alternatives such as electronic monitoring. Prison staff acknowledged the strain caused by high temperatures but said they continue to monitor vulnerable inmates. The report underscores growing concerns about detention conditions during increasingly frequent European heatwaves.

Police chiefs warn officers have been plunged into ‘storm’ not of their making

Senator addresses financial concerns over building an overcrowded new prison facility.

Prisons have become a fragile link in many criminal justice systems, weakened by over-incarceration, overcrowding, poor conditions and chronic neglect – fuelling calls for urgent reform.