Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Early Release Scheme

Tuesday 10 December 2024 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The SDS40 scheme was implemented as an emergency measure to prevent the collapse of the criminal justice system due to low prison capacity.
  • Exclusions have been made in the SDS40 scheme to address concerns about releasing violent and dangerous criminals.
  • A meeting is offered to discuss a Bill proposing aggravated domestic abuse offences and to address specific concerns raised by a survivor named Elizabeth Hudson.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Justice & Courts
Context

The question pertains to the effectiveness and concerns regarding the SDS40 standard determinate sentences early release scheme implemented by the government.

Question

What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the early release scheme. The right hon Gentleman asked what recent assessments have been made on the effectiveness of the SDS40 scheme in terms of its impact on public safety and prison capacity.

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

SDS40 was implemented as an emergency measure to avert the collapse of the criminal justice system. It is not seen as a long-term solution, but rather a necessary step given the low number of prison places inherited from the previous government. Exclusions have been made in the SDS40 scheme to address concerns about releasing violent and dangerous criminals early.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The effectiveness evaluation was not provided directly; instead, context around its necessity was given.

How: The Past Is Relevant, Emergency Measure

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Justice & Courts
Context

Concerns have been raised about the robustness of the screening process in ensuring that violent and dangerous criminals are not released into the community under the SDS40 scheme.

Question

The right hon Gentleman asked whether the screening process is sufficiently robust to prevent violent and dangerous criminals from being released early. He highlighted his worries for the future rather than past issues.

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The right hon Gentleman's concerns have been addressed by excluding certain offenders from the SDS40 scheme. Offenders will be monitored and supervised effectively when not incarcerated. The review into sentencing is looking into how technology can enhance this supervision.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assurances regarding robustness of screening were not provided, but exclusions have been made to address concerns.

How: Emergency Measures, Monitoring And Supervision

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Josh Babarinde Lib Dem Eastbourne
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

There is no specific domestic abuse offence under current law, which means that abusers can be released early under the SDS40 scheme despite their history of violence.

Question

The hon Gentleman introduced a Bill to create aggravated domestic abuse offences similar to racially aggravated offences. Women's Aid supports this proposal and asks whether the Secretary of State will support it as well.

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The hon Gentleman's Bill has interest in the House. While it would make future changes, current legislation limits excluding only offences rather than classes of offenders. The Secretary will discuss the details with the Home Secretary.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Current legislative limitations prevent immediate support for the bill, but discussions are proposed.

How: Current Crisis

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Josh Babarinde Lib Dem Eastbourne
Justice & Courts
Context

A survivor of domestic abuse, Elizabeth Hudson, has expressed concerns about the early release of her abuser under the SDS40 scheme. She has not received a response from Ministers.

Question

The hon Gentleman offered to meet the Secretary of State to discuss his Bill in more detail and highlighted that one such survivor, Elizabeth Hudson, is concerned about her case being released early. He seeks a meeting with the Secretary of State and the survivor to address these concerns.

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The specific case will be chased down. Victims are being notified under the victim contact scheme, but preparation time was given to the Probation Service which was not available previously.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assurance for meeting is lacking; notification process details were provided instead.

How: Preparation Time, Notification Process

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email