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Hundreds more prisoners being freed in second phase of early release scheme
The second phase follows the release of 700 inmates earlier this month as ministers try to ease prison overcrowding.
About 650 offenders will leave jails in England and Wales early on Tuesday, marking the second phase of the government's plan to tackle the prison population crisis.
The government claims these measures are necessary to prevent a total breakdown in the prison system, with officials building 14,000 new prison spaces to address the inherited crisis.
Following the release of Michael Bogle, a 38-year-old from Brent, the former bus driver was returned to prison for shoplifting within 24 hours of his release. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams warned that such releases shift pressure onto frontline policing.
The probation service union Napo reports the releases have put enormous strain on its members, demanding a 12% pay rise against the Ministry of Justice's 5% offer.
Future stages will include batches of offenders serving increasingly long sentences, culminating next June with those serving more than 12 years.