Early release plan is making 'a mockery' of justice system, Humberside's deputy crime commissioner warns
An extra £145,000 is being invested in victim support as hundreds of prisoners are freed early from HMP Humber
The deputy police and crime commissioner for Humberside has criticised the government's early release plan, warning it is turning the criminal justice system into "a mockery".
Councillor Leo Hammond, a Conservative councillor for the Wolds Weighton ward, made the comments as the second phase of the national plan began this week.
Hundreds of prisoners are being released early from HMP Humber in Brough as part of the plan, which is designed to ease overcrowding in jails.
About 2,000 offenders, including domestic abusers and violent offenders, are being freed this month, with a further 3,000 to follow in stages over the next year.
According to figures from the Police and Crime Commissioner's office, 75 offenders from the Humberside region have been released early so far.
"While I think this is a poor national policy with the government failing to address the main issues around the criminal justice system and instead making somewhat of a mockery of it, we will continue to work locally with partners to protect our communities," Councillor Hammond said.
He said local crime chiefs were focusing their monitoring efforts on offenders who intend to resettle permanently in the region, rather than the total number passing through larger facilities.
"While large prisons like HMP Humber may have released large numbers of prisoners, we are interested in those who are from our communities and therefore will be housed in this region," he said.
The region is home to several prisons, including HMP Hull, HMP Full Sutton and the recently opened HMP Millsike, alongside HMP Humber.
Police monitoring returning offenders
Officials confirmed that 75 individuals freed under the plan so far have been released directly back into communities across East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire.
Councillor Hammond said local forces were working closely with other agencies to oversee offenders returning to the area.
"Humberside Police are working very closely with probation to ensure oversight of these individuals and safety in our communities," he said.
Extra funding for victims
Councillor Hammond said the Police and Crime Commissioner's office was investing further money to support people affected by crime during this period.
"We will continue to support our partners during this time and will do all we can to fulfil our role to support the victims of crime who are sadly affected by this national scheme," he said.
"This includes investing an extra £145,000 into victim support services."
He said victims of crime engaged in the Victim Contact Scheme can receive regular updates about the offender concerned.
A government spokesperson defended the plan, saying action was needed to prevent the prison system from collapsing.
"We inherited a prison system on the brink of collapse, and had we failed to act, the police would have been forced to halt arrests, putting victims and communities at untold risk," the spokesperson said.
"To protect the public, we're putting thousands more neighbourhood police officers on our streets, introducing the toughest-ever licence controls, expanding electronic tagging, investing in probation at record levels, and delivering 14,000 more prison places."
Rapid local arrests this week
Three people have been arrested by Humberside Police this week, just days after being released early under the plan.
A woman and two men were arrested for offences including burglary, drunk and disorderly behaviour, and fraud by false representation.
Humberside Police confirmed all three are now back in custody.
Prison officers raise concerns
The plan has also raised concerns among prison staff about reoffending rates.
Ian Carson, a former prison officer and Prison Officers' Association area representative for Yorkshire and the North East, said frontline staff were worried about the approach.
The comments come as members of the probation union, Napo, hold a pre-ballot meeting on potential strike action over pay and workloads.
"Clearly people are very worried about this early release scheme, after all the ultimate basis of democratic society is a functioning justice system. The early release scheme shows a lack of joined-up thinking and calls into question the decision-making process of policy-makers," he said.