End of Custody Supervised Licence 2024-03-26
2024-03-26
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about prison overcrowding and the impact of early prisoner release schemes.
How many prisoners have been released early under the end of custody supervised licence scheme since October 2023. The Justice Committee Chair highlighted prisons are at 'bursting point' with potential criminal justice system halting without ECSL extension, while the Domestic Abuse Commissioner criticised plans as dangerous for victims.
ECSL responds to capacity challenges with safeguards not present in past schemes; 2007-10 scheme lacked supervision for released prisoners convicted of terror offences. Safeguards ensure protection of victims and society.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific data on number of prisoners released early
Annualised Publication Approach
Previous Similar Statistics
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question relates to managing prison capacity and protecting victims while dealing with overcrowded prisons.
Prisons are at 'bursting point', threatening criminal justice system halt without ECSL extension. The Domestic Abuse Commissioner criticised plans as dangerous for domestic abuse victims. Is the scheme effective in managing prison population safely? If so, when will data on released prisoners be published?
ECSL responds to capacity challenges with safeguards not present in past schemes; 2007-10 scheme lacked supervision for released prisoners convicted of terror offences. Safeguards ensure protection of victims and society.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific data on number of prisoners released early
Annualised Publication Approach
Previous Similar Statistics
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The question focuses on managing prison overcrowding by deporting foreign criminals.
Prisons are full, causing early release of inmates. At what point will deportation of foreign national offenders be prioritised to free up space for zero-tolerance policing?
18,000 foreign national offenders have been deported in the past four years and the target is being driven higher to address prison capacity challenges.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question stems from public demand for transparency on the number of prisoners released under ECSL.
It is telling that the Minister refuses to disclose how many prisoners are being released early. Does he have any intention, before a general election, of releasing truth about prisoners let out early?
We consider annualised publication of these statistics as most appropriate, in line with similar publications such as those on deaths of offenders.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific data release timing
Annualised Publication Approach
Previous Similar Statistics
Response accuracy