The sentence no-one serves: Early prison release and a justice system in retreat, with policing left to carry the can

6th August 2026Marcus Barnett, Policing consultant

The prisoner early release scheme in England and Wales was recently paused by the Prime Minister, who announced plans for an urgent review of the policy; former Met Detective Chief Superintendent Marcus Barnett argues that the scheme is a symptom of a wider problem of a criminal justice system in retreat, and one which is damaging public confidence, punishing victims, and leaving police forces and frontline officers to pick up the pieces from decisions they have no part in making.

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The sentence no-one serves: Early prison release and a justice system in retreat, with policing left to carry the can

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