- Deputy mayor says having to release prisoners early is a ‘rubbish situation the government inherited’ but believes Labour is doing the best it can ‘under the circumstances’.
- She would have preferred ‘all domestic abusers’ to be excluded, but noted that because domestic abuse accounts for 20% of all crime and nearly 70,000 cases in West Yorkshire, abusers could not be included without losing the needed release capacity.
- West Yorkshire's jails are around 94% capacity, with October projected at 99% capacity.
- Lowe warned that without available prison space, judges will not be able to send people to prison and serious offenders such as murderers and rapists might have to be held in police cells.
West Yorkshire's deputy mayor for policing and crime, Lowe, has expressed concerns over the government's early prisoner release scheme, labeling it a 'rubbish situation' inherited from previous administrations.1
Lowe supports the initiative to alleviate prison overcrowding but emphasizes the need for caution.
‘When you know that 20% of all crime is domestic abuse - and here in West Yorkshire that accounts for nearly 70,000 cases - that's why domestic abusers can't be included,’ she stated, highlighting the complexities of the situation.
The current prison capacity is alarming, with HMP Leeds reported at 97% full as of June, and projections indicating it could reach 99% by October.
Lowe warned that if prisons reach full capacity, judges may be forced to hold serious offenders, such as murderers and rapists, in police cells.6
The revised plan excludes those convicted of serious crimes, including rape and child sex offences, but Lowe argues that more should be done to protect vulnerable populations.
‘I would like to have seen all domestic abusers excluded from release under today's announcement,’ she remarked, underscoring the need for a balanced approach to criminal justice reform.
As the situation evolves, Lowe believes the government is doing its best under challenging circumstances, but the risks associated with overcrowding remain a pressing concern.
“West Yorkshire’s jails are at about 94% capacity and projected to hit 99% by October, she said. Without space, judges may be unable to send people to prison, leaving serious offenders such as murderers and rapists to be held in police cells.”
