Labour has freed nearly 50,000 criminals from jail early under its soft justice programme. The scheme led to distasteful scenes of lags popping champagne corks outside prison gates, as some vowed to be life-long Labour voters as a result of being freed early. But violent offenders sentenced to less than four years can be freed early, including killers convicted of manslaughter. Labour passed new legislation earlier this month that will introduce permanent ‘soft justice’ changes to the way criminals are punished. The early release scheme is now overseen by Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy.