UK activates operation early dawn to reduce prison overcrowding from mass arrests

Aug. 19, 2024, 7:56 a.m.

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The UK government has implemented emergency measures to address the issue of prison overcrowding, stemming from increased sentencing for those involved in recent riots.

Under the newly implemented Operation Early Dawn, defendants in northern England will be detained in police cells until prison space becomes available. This system, previously used by the Conservative government in May, was activated on Monday morning.

Advertisement The government attributes the need for these measures to its efforts to combat “violent thuggery” on the streets, which have intensified existing problems with prison capacity.

According to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), over 1,000 individuals have been arrested in connection with the recent violent disturbances in England and Northern Ireland. The Crown Prosecution Service reports that more than 470 people have been charged so far.

The regions affected by these measures include the North East, Yorkshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Manchester, Merseyside, and Cheshire. Defendants will now be summoned to a magistrates’ court only when a prison space is available.

Until such time, they will either remain in police custody or be released on bail pending trial. The Ministry of Justice has declared that individuals who pose a risk to public safety will not be granted bail, and police operations will continue uninterrupted.

Prisons Minister Lord Timpson remarked, “We inherited a justice system in crisis, exposed to shocks, which has compelled us to make difficult but necessary decisions to keep it functioning.” He stated that the emergency measures are designed to alleviate pressure in affected areas.

Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp of the NPCC said, “We are coordinating closely with partners in the criminal justice system to manage demand and ensure public safety. Policing will persist in arresting individuals as needed to maintain safety, including during protests and events.”

Mark Fairhurst, chair of the Prison Officers’ Association, expressed concerns about the impact of these measures on the justice system. He noted significant increase in new prison admissions, with 397 new receptions last week and only 340 spaces remaining in the adult closed male estate.

Advertisement In response to the overcrowding issue, the government has introduced additional measures. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced in July a reduction in the required portion of a sentence served in prison, from 50% to 40%.

This temporary adjustment is projected to result in the release of around 5,500 inmates in September and October. However, this provision will not extend to individuals convicted of sexual offenses, acts of terrorism, domestic violence, or certain violent crimes. The government has confirmed that those involved in the recent unrest will not be excluded from these early release plans.