With the number of confirmed cases of COVID–19 increasing sharply since the end of August and the number of hospital admissions and deaths also rising, we believe now is the time to look again at what urgent steps are required in order to ensure that the impact of COVID–19 on those in contact with the justice system is minimised. COVID–19 continues to significantly impact the most vulnerable in our society, including those in custody and those being released from prison.
We want to see urgent action from Government to relieve overcrowding in prisons by reintroducing the early release scheme and reducing the number of short sentences, remands and recalls.