Lib Dems call for action on prisons

Ahead of the Labour Government's new prisoner release scheme, starting in September, Lincoln's Liberal Democrats are warning that early releases are already harming communities in Lincoln. 

The Labour Government has announced that from September, they will allow early release for some prisoners when they have served just 40% of their sentence.

Councillor Clare Smalley, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Abbey Ward, home to HMP Lincoln, commented: "Early releases are already having a real impact on the communities surrounding HMP Lincoln. Shops and businesses in the North of our city in Abbey and Glebe wards are finding they are being targeted by regular shoplifters.

"As a local councillor, the police have told me that our community is being targeted by an individual, who has benefited from the existing early release scheme from Lincoln Prison. The individual was not originally from Lincoln but is now staying here and is now a frequent shoplifter in the area. 

"I have a real concern that September's early release scheme will be a cliff-edge, bringing about more harm to Lincoln's communities in just over a month."

Lib Dem Councillor for Abbey Ward Martin Christopher added: "Changes to the whole system need to be made, prisoners should not be released without accommodation and the support they need. I hear reports that often prisoners are released on a Friday and that services are then not able to support them straight away, often leaving people to fend for themselves over the weekend. 

"The probation and prison system is totally broken, and Lincoln is less safe as a result. The Labour Government needs to get their act together, and fix probation and support services before releasing thousands of people early this September."

The Liberal Democrats recently proposed to free up police time, reduce court backlogs and tackle prison overcrowding by diverting people arrested for the possession of drugs for personal use into appropriate treatment, rather than Labour's dangerous plan to let out those who've hurt our community.