HMPPS Has No Answers for Staff After Burnham's Early Release Review Throws September Plans Into "Chaos"

Burnham pledged on 22 July 2026 to review "the whole of the policy" behind the Sentencing Act 2026's early release of up to 6,000 prisoners, set for 2 September. Napo says HMPPS could not confirm whether preparations should continue, calling the situation "a sense of chaos." Each case needs six to eight weeks of risk assessments and safeguarding plans. The window is narrowing.