Up to 4,000 inmates could be released from jail early amid fears that Covid-19 could spread rapidly through crowded prisons leaving hospitals swamped
- Justice Secretary Robert Buckland announced the move on Saturday
- Low-level offenders such as those jailed for theft or drug possession to be let out
- Three inmates and two prison workers have already died with coronavirus
Up to 4,000 prisoners in England and Wales could be released early amid fears that coronavirus will spread rapidly through crowded jails and put increasing strain on the NHS.
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland announced the move on Saturday after weeks of resisting demands.
'Low-level' offenders, such as those prosecuted for theft and drug possession, who were eligible for release within the next two months will now be let out within a matter of days.
Three prisoners and two prison workers have already died with coronavirus as the number of confirmed cases across the UK soars to 41,903 with a current death toll of 4,313.
![Up to 4,000 prisoners in England and Wales could be released early amid fears that coronavirus will spread rapidly through crowded jails and put increasing strain on the NHS (stock image)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/04/05/00/26818772-8188235-image-a-136_1586042707937.jpg)
Up to 4,000 prisoners in England and Wales could be released early amid fears that coronavirus will spread rapidly through crowded jails and put increasing strain on the NHS (stock image)
Ministry of Justice sources said that they had initially been looking to ease any prison overcrowding by transferring inmates to alternative Government accommodation including immigration detention centres, army barracks and police custodies.
But it was ultimately decided that they had little option but to go ahead under emergency powers.
Prisoners will be thoroughly assessed before their temporary release in order to reduce the risk posed to members of the public and all will be subject to electronic tagging.
Those inmates who have been convicted of violence or sexual offences as well as those who pose a threat to children or national security will not be eligible.
![Justice Secretary Robert Buckland](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/04/05/00/26818966-8188235-image-m-153_1586043435020.jpg)
![Former chief inspector of prisons Lord Ramsbotham](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/04/05/00/26818978-8188235-image-a-154_1586043442083.jpg)
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland (left) announced the move on Saturday after weeks of resisting demands from those such as former chief inspector of prisons Lord Ramsbotham (right)
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/04/04/21/26805440-8187991-image-a-32_1586030448923.jpg)
Mr Buckland said: 'This Government is committed to ensuring that justice is served to those who break the law.
'But this is an unprecedented situation because if Coronavirus takes hold in our prisons, the NHS could be overwhelmed and more lives put at risk.'
Most prisons have already taken significant steps in a bid to slow the spread of the deadly pathogen.
Offenders are being kept locked in their cells for up to 23 hours a day and with no family visits being allowed.
And nearly 70 pregnant women and mothers with babies have already been released early to protect them from the virus.
But former chief inspector of prisons Lord Ramsbotham recently called on authorities to go further.
Lord Ramsbotham said he was 'very worried' about the effect of the crisis on the country's jails, saying prison staff would not be able to handle the crisis.
'The remand prisoners in particular should be let out,' Lord Ramsbotham wrote in a letter to The Daily Telegraph co-signed by 50 fellow members of the House of Lords as well as police and crime commissioners, leading academics and charities.
'They should also examine indeterminate sentence prisoners.'
Two of Britain's leading prison charities echoed Lord Ramsbotham's remarks and warned that failure to enforce more drastic measures could lead to loss of life on an 'unprecedented scale'.
It comes after three prisoners and two prison workers have already died with coronavirus.
A further 88 prisoners and 15 staff have tested positive for Covid-19 across 29 jails.
The first inmate to die, Edwin Hillier, was jailed for sex attacks on young girls in the 1970s. He was rushed to hospital with suspected sepsis on March 20 but post-mortem results showed he had also contracted coronavirus.
An inmate at HMP Manchester died in hospital on March 26 after testing positive for coronavirus. He was already terminally ill and receiving end-of-life care.
And 77-year-old man with underlying health conditions became the third prisoner to die yesterday at HMP Littlehey, a category C prison for sex offenders - where Hillier had died just two weeks before.
There are also now concerns about staffing levels as nearly one in four - 8,700 prison officers are absent from their roles with many self-isolating due to exhibiting coronavirus symptoms.
Prison Officers' Union Chief Dave Cook has called for the military to be drafted in as back up.
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