Ford prisonersreleased early

The prisoners have been let out before the end of their sentences as part of the government's attempts to ease prison overcrowding.

Those serving sentences of four years or less can be released up to 18 days earlier than they would otherwise have been.

Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert, the Conservatives's secretary of state for justice, said: 'The public is being put at risk as a result of the government's decision to ignore earlier projections of the future prison population and its failure to plan accordingly.'