Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has warned that abandoning plans to release rapists and sex offenders early could leave England and Wales with no prison capacity by November, telling opponents they have offered 'no solutions'.
Key facts
- David Lammy says opponents of early release for sex offenders have 'no solutions'.
- He warned jails in England and Wales could have no capacity by November if the scheme is not implemented.
- Labour MPs, including former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, are pressing to curb the early release scheme.
- Lammy is described as deputy prime minister in the reporting.
- The comments were made in an exclusive report by the Guardian.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has said opponents of plans to release rapists and sex offenders early from prison have “no solutions” to halt what he described as the possible collapse of the criminal justice system in England and Wales, according to the Guardian.
In an exclusive report published by the Guardian, Lammy said that failing to implement the early release scheme could leave no capacity across jails in England and Wales in November.
The comments come as the deputy prime minister faces pressure from Labour MPs to curb the early release scheme. Among those pushing back is the former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, according to the report.
Lammy’s framing places the choice as one between implementing early release measures and risking a system-wide shortage of prison places, with the November deadline cited as the point at which capacity could run out.
The reporting does not detail the full scope of the early release scheme or the specific measures Labour MPs are proposing as alternatives.
Why it matters
Prison overcrowding directly affects public safety, sentencing and the day-to-day operation of the justice system. The debate over releasing sex offenders early pits political and public safety concerns against warnings that jails could physically run out of space.
Frequently asked questions
What did David Lammy warn could happen in November?
According to the Guardian, Lammy said that failing to implement the early release scheme could leave no capacity across jails in England and Wales in November.
Who is opposing the early release scheme?
Labour MPs are pressing the deputy prime minister to curb the scheme, including the former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, the Guardian reported.
What did Lammy say about his opponents?
Lammy said opponents of the plans to release rapists and sex offenders early have 'no solutions' to halt the possible collapse of the criminal justice system.