Burnham Shields Rape and Child Abuse Convicts from Early Release

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has barred prisoners convicted of rape, serious child sexual offences, and grooming from England and Wales's early-release scheme. The move trims planned releases from 6,000 to 5,000 over 10 months starting October 2026. The scheme targets chronic overcrowding: governments added just 500 prison places between 2010 and 2024 while closing 23 prisons.