Early releasesmay end soon

The move is being discussed by Downing Street, the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice and an announcement made within weeks, according to a Sunday newspaper.

The scheme has been controversial since its introduction in 2007 to help alleviate over-crowding in Britain’s jails. Prisoners serving sentences of up to four years can be released up to 18 days earlier than they would otherwise have been eligible for.

Critics claim it has led to thousands more offences by criminals who would not otherwise have been on the streets. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “Ministers have made clear they will end the end of custody licence as soon as there is sufficient capacity to do so. We are working extremely hard to build new places with the fastest ever creation of prison spaces.”