Prisoners released

More than 170 prisoners have been released early from Ford Open Prison.

Government figures have revealed that 177 inmates were allowed out in the past four months before the end of their sentences. The number has been criticised by Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert, the Tories' shadow secretary of state for justice.

'Early release of offenders has put the public at risk but has not dealt with prison over-crowding,' he stated. 'It must be scrapped immediately and sufficient cells provided to accommodate all offenders sentenced by the courts.'

More than 11,000 prisoners around the country have been released early under the end of custody licence scheme since August.

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