News headlines after Prime Minister’s Questions concentrated on the fact that 344 prisoners convicted of violent offences were amongst the 1700 released early to prevent overcrowding. Gordon Brown attempted to squirm out of the situation by claiming that none had been convicted of serious violent offences.
Another statistic unearthed in a written Parliamentary Question by Edward Garnier MP got less attention. 951 out of 1390 (68%) released over two days earlier this month had previously been refused release on Home Detention Curfew.
These 951 prisoners were not seen as suitable for releasing into the community with a tag on so that they can be found. What do they then do? Release them into the community with no tag on.