Magistrates to Delay Sentencing Due to Overcrowding

Magistrates in England and Wales have been directed by Lord Justice Nicholas Green to delay sentencing hearings for offenders on bail to alleviate the severe overcrowding in prisons, with the postponement lasting until at least September 10. This move is part of broader emergency measures, including an early release scheme set to free up thousands of prison spaces by allowing prisoners to be released after serving 40% of their sentence instead of 50%. The directive excludes high-risk offenders who are already on remand. The recent influx of inmates due to riots following a fatal stabbing in Southport has exacerbated the prison crisis. The Ministry of Justice acknowledged the inherited crisis and emphasized that the new measures will help bring the situation under control. Critics argue that these actions merely serve as temporary fixes rather than addressing the underlying issues within the justice system.