Burglars, thieves and fraudsters could be back on Britain's streets 70 days ... trends now
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Criminals will be released up to 70 days early in an extension of a scheme to free up space in bursting jails.
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk announced emergency measures last autumn for criminals serving up to four years' imprisonment in England and Wales.
The scheme, known as End of Custody Supervised Licence, initially allowed prisoners to be released up to 18 days early.
It will be increased to 70 days from May 23. Sex offenders and terrorists are excluded but lower-level violent criminals and drug dealers are eligible.
The move, first reported by The Times, emerged in an internal email sent to prisons staff.
Criminals will be released up to 70 days early in an extension of a scheme to free up space in jails. Pictured: HM Prison Belmarsh
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, pictured, announced emergency measures last autumn
'This power will only be used for a limited period and only in targeted areas,' Mr Chalk said.
Four months on and the scheme is being expanded to more jails. And leaked guidance to prisons seen by Sky News suggests the scheme will continue to run for the foreseeable future.
The guidance says the scheme has been 'revised' and 'activated for an undefined period', plus 'updated to facilitate/support activation in new prisons'.
Officials have been unable to supply a date when the practice will end.
Anyone serving a life sentence, extended determinate sentence, or jailed for a serious violent, terror or sexual offence is excluded from the scheme. But violent thugs serving time for wounding and assault are among those that could win early release.
Offenders guilty of domestic abuse crimes may also be
