Prisoner release row proving to be Burnham's first big test as PM

The prison overcrowding crisis presents the new PM with a dilemma for which there are only unpalatable choices.

SeventyFour/Shutterstock The UK may have a new prime minister, but the problem of prison overcrowding in England and Wales remains. Andy Burnham recently clarified the details of the Sentencing Act 2026, which aims to release prisoners earlier than usual. Like other PMs before him, Burnham faces a difficult choice bet

Some readers say the move to exclude rapists and sex offenders still doesn’t go far enough, while others argue ministers have no real alternative while prisons stay full

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is making a plan to relieve overcrowding in prisons contingent on tougher release conditions. The catch is that it depends on a probation service that’s suffering from an acute shortfall in staff.

Prisoners released in early scheme will not be able to go to football games or concerts, says minister as she insists their punishment will continue  lbc.co.uk