Labour to hide figures on new early-release programme, opposition claims cover-up

The government’s new early-release programme, introduced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, is expected to free as many as 50,000 prisoners each year, yet the Ministry of Justice will not disclose how many actually benefit. Instead, the data will be merged with broader release statistics, preventing separate tracking. Opposition figures, including Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy, have labeled the lack of transparency a cover-up.

On the scheme’s first day, roughly 700 inmates were released, and subsequent expansions will widen eligibility to longer sentences. Police reports indicate several of those released have already committed new offences, raising public-safety concerns. The Conservatives have pledged to build 50,000 new prison places if they win the next election, arguing that ending early releases is essential for safety.