Women’s Aid responds to the Government’s new plans for Early Release Schemes for Prisoners

Farah Nazeer, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid, said:

“Whilst we know that overcrowding in prisons is a real and serious issue, and that today’s announcement is underpinned by the new Labour government’s ambition to repair our broken criminal justice system, Women’s Aid, along with sector colleagues, have long cautioned against including domestic abuse perpetrators in early and automatic release schemes.

We strongly urge government to not just consider the highlighted risks to prison officers of violence rising when prisons are overfull, but the significant risk posed to women and children when violent and abusive men are released before the end of their sentence. It is absolutely vital that both the physical and psychological safety of survivors of domestic abuse is considered throughout the government’s work to tackle prison overcrowding.

Under the new scheme, prisoners convicted of sexual and some domestic abuse offences will be exempt from the early release system. Whilst it is good to see the inclusion of domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women and girls explicitly excluded from early release, we are concerned that the scheme focusses on the offence rather than the offender, and that abusers could still be let out earlier than they should be. It is also all too often for perpetrators of abuse to be charged under other offences not noted in this exemption, which means they will fall through the net.

We know from our member organisations across the country what a worrying week this is for survivors of domestic abuse, seeing in the news women killed in their own home and a high-profile case of planned rape and murder, from man with a history of violence against women. When you add to this the early release of offenders it becomes terrifying. This week we are also further reminded of the very real risk posed to women, with three women killed in Hertfordshire, and Gavin Plumb being sentenced for the planned kidnap, rape and murder of television presenter Holly Willoughby

We ask government to centre women and children in their response to the current prison situation, as the early release of perpetrators of domestic abuse has potentially devastating consequences. We must also see appropriate safeguards in place with specialist services being actively involved in safeguarding, and multi-agency meetings. This response will need domestic abuse training for probation services and will require immediate work in partnership with specialist services to ensure women and children aren’t asked to bear the brunt and placed in the direct path of danger.

Women’s Aid is here to support both our member organisations and survivors during a time we know is deeply concerning for many.”