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URGENT PRISONER RELEASES: A THREAD
1000s of prisoners already assessed to be safe for Release on Temporary Licence prior to C-19 must be released temporarily. They do not endanger public safety, and offer a simple, if partial, solution to prison overcrowding. 1/
1000s of prisoners already assessed to be safe for Release on Temporary Licence prior to C-19 must be released temporarily. They do not endanger public safety, and offer a simple, if partial, solution to prison overcrowding. 1/
With Covid-19 now in at least half of E+W prisons, @MoJGovUK still needs urgently to reduce the prison population to protect communities, staff, and the NHS. The current situation makes for grim reading. 2/
@PGA_Prisons, @hmpps and @PHE_uk have told @CommonsJustice that the prison population needs to be reduced by up to 15,000 to end multiple cell occupancy and provide for adequate separation. 3/
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice @mojgovuk has offered two very limited measures to lower the population. 4/
Yet, even that limited action has stalled. 5/
Hesitation and delay is costing prisoners and staff their lives, and risking further spread outside prisons by creating 'epidemiological pumps'.
However, the @MoJGovUK has already approved 1000s of prisoners as suitable to be released into the community.
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However, the @MoJGovUK has already approved 1000s of prisoners as suitable to be released into the community.
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Releasing those already approved for ROTL presents a straightforward way of easing the burden and allowing the prison estate to cope, as staff self-isolate and #Covid19 continues to spiral.
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As @MoJGovUK develops new risk assessments, accredits new tagging providers, and turns shipping containers into cells, these 1000s of ROTL-approved prisoners have already been deemed safe for the community. 8/
Prisoners approved for ROTL already rejoin the community following risk assessment. @MoJGovUK concern about the justice system’s ability to protect the public from released prisoners is therefore misplaced.
Minister for Prisons and Probation @lucyfrazermp puts it well: 9/
Minister for Prisons and Probation @lucyfrazermp puts it well: 9/
Every week, 1000s of prisoners are in communities, often for multiple days. Releasing those on ROTL would allow these prisoners to self-isolate properly & reduce the burden on prison staff and the NHS.
Compliance with conditions imposed on ROTL is extremely high. 10/
Compliance with conditions imposed on ROTL is extremely high. 10/
Urgent action is key.
Release of these low-risk ROTL prisoners would allow progress towards the 15,000 releases necessary ( @PGA_Prisons @PHE_uk) using risk assessments already carried out.
@MoJGovUK can immediately reduce the burden on prison estate, staff, and the NHS. /end/
Release of these low-risk ROTL prisoners would allow progress towards the 15,000 releases necessary ( @PGA_Prisons @PHE_uk) using risk assessments already carried out.
@MoJGovUK can immediately reduce the burden on prison estate, staff, and the NHS. /end/
