# Why have hundreds of prisoners been released in England and Wales?

https://mins.news/en/video/83700

- BBC News, 2026-10-02 15:00 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEA0qOHsFeM

> A new UK government scheme has seen hundreds of prisoners in England and Wales released from 1 October. Offenders serving sentences of up to 19 months can now leave after completing one third of their term, with thousands more expected to be released over the coming months. The government says the policy will ease pressure on prison capacity, while victims question how they will be protected.

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- [LIVE: Why are prisoners being freed early in England and Wales?](https://mins.news/en/video/81920) — BBC News, 2026-10-01
- [Hundreds of UK prisoners released early as new scheme begins](https://mins.news/en/video/81654) — BBC News, 2026-10-01