UK Government bars rape and child sex offenders from early release scheme

The UK Government announced that perpetrators of rape, serious child sexual abuse and grooming offences will be excluded from the early release scheme that allows prisoners to be released after serving a third or half of their sentence. Welsh Women’s Aid welcomed the move but warned that many survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and homicide will not benefit, citing concerns over prison overcrowding, probation capacity and the risk of re‑offending. Sara Kirkpatrick, CEO of Welsh Women’s Aid, said the changes must be accompanied by a fully operational national helpline by October and trauma‑informed communication with victims. Women’s Aid echoed these concerns, with CEO Farah Nazeer stressing that domestic abuse offences remain eligible for early release, putting women and children at continued risk. Both organisations called for further exclusions and long‑term investment in victim support and custodial reform.