TRENDING Stories Videos Your SayBut Mr Burnham claimed he pushed for more inmates to be barred from early release after hearing concerns from victims. "But it’s not possible without the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing, which would put public safety at much greater risk. The early release scheme was initially scheduled for September in a bid to ease overcrowding. Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy said: “Labour whipped their MPs to vote to let rapists, paedophiles, and grooming gang perpetrators out of prison early. Prisoners reunite with loved ones following their early release | PA“But their U-turn doesn't go far enough.