Hundreds of prisoners released early as Sentencing Act 2026 takes effect

Around 700 offenders are leaving jails across England and Wales today as the Sentencing Act 2026 takes effect, launching the early-release scheme.

The rules move the release point for prisoners serving standard fixed-term sentences from 40% or half to one-third, and from two-thirds to half for some serious offenders (PA, HoC Library). The “Earned Progression” scheme first covers sentences of up to 19 months; around 650 more become eligible on 13 October, with about 4,500 additional first-day releases estimated to next June (UKPulse).

Those released stay on licence, supervised for the rest of their sentence, and can be recalled for breaches such as reoffending or missing probation appointments.

Critics note some domestic abuse, stalking, assault and coercive-control offenders can qualify; the BBC reported those released include domestic abuse and coercive control convicts.

Around 18,000 inmates are excluded — murder, manslaughter, rape, sexual or grooming offences and driving offences causing death — after ministers exempted rapists and the most serious child sex offenders, including Pc Andrew Harper’s killers (Newswav).

Justice Secretary Alex Norris has apologised to victims who faced a summer of uncertainty after the scheme — due to start on 2 September — was paused for review by the Burnham government (British Eye).

Probation chief inspector Martin Jones says he is “not fully confident” the service will cope, though 1,300 extra staff have been recruited. The prison population stood at 87,499 this week, per MoJ data; ministers say the changes are needed to stop the system running out of capacity.