Build. Rent. Remove. My plan to solve the prisons crisis

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Thousands of serious offenders, including those convicted of violent crimes and the death of a police officer, are set to be released early under new Labour government sentencing reforms reversing previous Conservative policies. This has sparked fierce criticism from the Opposition, who argue the policy endangers public safety and call for expanded prison capacity and the reversal of early release rules.

The early release of thousands of serious offenders under recent sentencing reforms has emerged as a point of contention amid ongoing concerns about prison capacity and public safety in the United Kingdom.

Among those set to be released from custody starting in September are individuals convicted of child rape, manslaughter, and violent offenses, including two men involved in the death of police officer Andrew Harper. These releases come under a sentencing scheme introduced by the Labour government, which reduces the time certain offenders spend behind bars to half of their sentence. This marks a reversal of steps taken in 2020 by the previous Conservative administration, which had sought to extend sentences for serious crimes.

Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Opposition, has sharply criticised the policy, attributing it directly to the legislation passed under Labour. She argues that the Justice Secretary, currently Alex Norris, has the power to reverse the scheme through administrative action and should do so promptly. Badenoch highlighted a recent case involving Liam Matthews, who was released early from HMP Holme House and subsequently committed a fatal stabbing on the same day, as evidence of the policy’s risks to public safety.

Badenoch also criticised Labour for halting previous Conservative plans to expand prison capacity. She pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a factor delaying prison construction under the Conservatives but emphasised that Labour has had two years to resume or advance these plans without apparent progress. Notably, she mentioned the cancellation of arrangements to rent prison cells overseas, specifically referencing prior legislation that permitted renting capacity abroad, which Sweden has reportedly utilised by renting cells in Estonia. Badenoch urged Labour to reopen such discussions, offering Conservative support for these initiatives.

Her proposal, summarised as “build, rent, remove,” calls for accelerated construction of new prison places domestically, engagement with foreign partners for rented prison capacity, and the removal of foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes from the UK where appropriate. Badenoch framed her position by asserting that individuals who commit serious offenses forfeit certain societal rights, including liberty.

Labour, for its part, has described the early release provisions as part of an ongoing “review,” a move Badenoch dismissed as delaying decisive action. She referenced a parliamentary motion she sponsored on July 8 to exempt sexual offenders from early release, which passed unanimously, to illustrate parliamentary support for reversing the policy. Badenoch challenged Labour leader Andy Burnham to repeal the early release provisions, promising Conservative backing if he did so. She contended that should early releases proceed in September, it would be a direct consequence of Labour’s choices.

The issue spotlights the broader challenges facing the UK’s criminal justice system in balancing sentencing policies, prison capacity, and public safety amid shifting political priorities.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.