PM Keeps Rape and Child Abuse Convicts in Prison Longer

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out early release for prisoners convicted of rape, serious child sexual offences, and grooming in England and Wales. Early releases drop from 6,000 to 5,000 over 10 months from October 2026. The scheme aims to ease severe prison overcrowding — governments added only 500 places since 2010 while shutting 23 prisons.