Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the Chief Inspector of Prisons' report entitled, Report on an announced inspection of HMP Lewes, 5–16 February 2024, published on 14 May, what assessment he has made of the impact of the early release of prisoners on public safety.

Public protection remains our priority. End of Custody Supervised Licence (ECSL) is a temporary measure and its use is under constant review. The most serious and dangerous offenders are excluded, including all those convicted for sexual or serious violent offences, and offenders whose release is a matter for the Parole Board to decide. Those released on ECSL are subject to strict licence conditions and probation supervision.

It remains at the discretion of the prison service to prevent the release of any prisoners under this measure where releasing an offender earlier presents a heightened risk than if they were released at their automatic release date. A panel formed of HMPPS senior leaders takes decisions on exclusions following advice from prison and probation staff.