The U.K. is not releasing violent offenders to make room for people arrested amid riots

The context

False information is being circulated about the forthcoming measures to reduce the number of prisoners in the U.K.'s severely overcrowded prisons. The "End Wokeness" X profile, with a following of 2.9 million, published a post saying: "Holy sh*t. The UK is releasing 5k prisoners to make room for anti-immigration protestors. Some of those will be violent offenders."

The post has so far been viewed by 39.4 million people.

Other highly influential users shared the post, including X owner Elon Musk, who commented, "'Operation Orwell' more like it," referring to the "Orwellian" political system in which the government tries to control every part of people's lives. His post has also been viewed by more than 36 million people.

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson published a similar post, referring to a BBC news story on prison population reduction. He wrote: "They've begun the mass emptying the prisons of violent and sex criminals to make way for everyone who posted about how angry they are at the government for ignoring them for decades." 

However, the claim that prisoners are being released to accommodate protesters is not true—there's no link between the two. The posts also incorrectly suggest that serious criminals will be released as a result of the planned measures.

In fact 

In an appearance on BBC News, National President of the POA (The Professional Trade Union for Prison, Correctional and Public and Private Mental Health Trust Service Providers)  Mark Fairhurst explained that the government had taken steps to reduce overcrowding following the conviction of several rioters for their role in the recent riots. This included the reactivation of Operation Early Dawn, an existing emergency mechanism introduced by the Conservative government in May. 

However, the planned early release of prisoners is not linked to the riots as it was announced well before the protests began, nor does Fairhurst suggest any such link in the video.

In July, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the government would cut the proportion of the sentence inmates must serve behind bars from 50 percent to 40 percent. Logically Facts has previously analyzed this measure and found it will result in the release of 5,500 offenders in September and October. 

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice also confirmed to Logically Facts in a telephone conversation that there was no causal link between the planned releases and the riots in the U.K. and that prisons would not be emptied, as suggested by Tommy Robinson, in order to imprison the protesters. "This is a pre-announced measure," they added. They also pointed out that the second part of End Wokeness's claim on X, that violent offenders would be among those released, was incorrect. 

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood also explained in a major speech at HMP Five Wells in July that there will be some exceptions regarding the early release of prisoners. Sentences for sexual and violent crimes will continue to be set at 50 percent, or 67 percent for the most dangerous crimes. The same will apply to a range of domestic violence offenses including stalking, controlling or coercive behavior, and non-fatal strangulation. Those released will also be subject to strict supervision, including mandatory electronic tagging and curfews if deemed necessary. "If they step out of line and breach the conditions of their license, they can be returned to prison immediately. Finally, let me be clear: this is an emergency measure. This is not a permanent change," she said. 

The verdict

The early release of prisoners was announced in July, well before the arrests of the U.K. rioters. The planned measure is linked to the general problem of prison overcrowding. There will be no serious criminals among those released early. Therefore, we have marked this claim as misleading. 

Logically Facts has investigated misinformation regarding the protests in the U.K. following the stabbings in Southport in July. Some examples can be found here, here, here, and here.