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

The government in UK has implemented emergency measures to address the issue of prison overcrowding as a result of increased sentencing for those took parts in recent riots.

Under the newly activated Operation Early Dawn, defendants in the northern regions of England will be held in police cells until space becomes available in prisons. This system, which was previously used by the Conservative government in May, was put into effect on Monday morning.

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.

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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 then, they will either remain in police holding cells or be released on bail while awaiting trial. The Ministry of Justice has stated that individuals who present a risk to public safety will not be granted bail, and police operations will continue unaffected.

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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.

In response to the overcrowding, the government has introduced additional measures. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced in July a reduction in the proportion of a sentence that must be served in prison, from 50% to 40%.

This temporary adjustment is expected to lead to the release of approximately 5,500 offenders in September and October. However, it will not apply to those convicted of sex offenses, terrorism, domestic abuse, or certain violent crimes. The government has confirmed that individuals involved in the recent unrest will not be exempt from these early release plans.