Prime Minister "shares the public's anger" at images of prisoners being released early

A dozen or so prisoners from HMP Manchester, known locally as Strangeways, were some of those released across the country this morning

Author: Helen Corbett, PA Political CorrespondentPublished 22nd Oct 2024

The Prime Minister "shares the public's anger" at images of prisoners being released early, including one who said "big up Keir Starmer".

Around 1,100 inmates are due to be freed in a second wave of early releases under the Government's policy to free up prison space.

Blinking in the morning light, a dozen or so prisoners were released from behind the giant steel doors of Victorian-era built HMP Manchester, known locally as Strangeways, and subject of a recent report citing high-levels of violence and rat infestations.

None of the newly released convicts wanted to speak directly to reporters, photographers or cameramen outside as they quickly headed for waiting family and friends.

Seemingly aware of the media interest in the early release of prisoners, many wore Covid-era face masks or covered their faces with the white release papers they clutched along with holdall bags of personal possessions.

Of the 14 newly released from around 9.30 to midday, it is not known how many were freed early due to the scheme or released after, "time served".

After brief hugs, kisses and handshakes outside the jail, most were quickly whisked away in waiting cars.

One man would only say he had been released nine months early from his sentence of seven-and-a-half years, thanks to the new scheme.

Another shaven-headed ex-prisoner, wearing trainers, jeans and a grey sweatshirt said he had served five years and was angry at conditions inside.

"It's corrupt," he shouted. "They beat people up. It's corrupt and abusive. There's no mental health," he said, before climbing into a car driven by a friend and leaving.

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