The U.K. is rolling out a major emergency plan called “Operation Early Dawn” to tackle severe overcrowding in its prisons. This decision comes after a surge in arrests related to recent anti-immigration protests.
Starting in August, the U.K. government will release around 5,500 offenders early to make space in its overcrowded jails. For now, recent offenders in northern England and parts of the Midlands will be taken to court only if a prison cell is available for them. Until then, they’ll remain in holding cells.
This will likely cause delays in court proceedings, but police assure the public that it will not affect their ability to make arrests or ensure public safety as protests continue.
The prisons and probation minister acknowledged the system’s struggles and said early release is necessary to manage the current pressures.
Recent data shows more than 1,000 arrests and nearly 700 charges linked to riots that followed a tragic stabbing incident in Southport in July.
The unrest was sparked by false online claims about the suspect being an immigrant, exacerbating existing concerns about illegal immigration.
The government is also cracking down on misinformation and hate speech online since the incident. Wayne O’Rourke has been sentenced to three years in prison for spreading what officials called “racial hate” online.
In the meantime, ahead of prisoners’ early release next month, the U.K. government said it is working hard to make more room in prisons and address both physical and online threats. The government said it’s aiming to restore order amid what has been the worst unrest seen in the U.K. for more than a decade.