Emergency Measures Begin Amidst Riots and Overcrowding
As more rioters are jailed for their role in the recent upheaval, the government has started emergency actions to handle the urgent problem of prison overcrowding. Currently operational over the north of England and certain areas of the Midlands, the newly triggered system is known as Operation Early Dawn. Defendants awaiting court hearings will be housed in police cells under this arrangement until jail space becomes available. Last used by the Conservative administration in May, this measure seeks to relieve pressure on the jail system.
Prison System Strained by Recent Riots
Prisons Minister Lord Timpson said the emergency measures will help manage the pressure felt in some parts of the nation. “I’m not sure how much the measures will help,” Mark Icke, Vice President of the Prison Governors’ Association, said, “as the prison system has been lurching from crisis to crisis for some time.”
Initially carried out to cover England’s north, Operation Early Dawn has grown to encompass the East and West Midlands. These actions impact the following areas:
- North East and Yorkshire
- Cumbria and Lancashire
- Manchester, Merseyside, and Cheshire
- East and West Midlands
The government claims that long-standing capacity problems in the jail system have been compounded by its attempts to “tackle violent thuggery on our streets.” According to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), about 1,000 people have been detained about the violent upheaval following recent riots in England and Northern Ireland. The dissemination of false information on the internet following three girls’ deaths in Southport set off the turmoil.
Recent Sentences Highlight Severity of Disorder
The Crown Prosecution Service claims that crimes connected to the disturbances have been filed against around 470 individuals. Two guys were just sentenced for their involvement to the harshest terms to date. David Wilkinson, 48, was sentenced to six years for offenses including attempted arson and religiously and racially aggravated criminal damage. For racial aggravation of criminal damage, John Honey, 25, was sentenced to four years and eight months.
Under Operation Early Dawn, suspects will only be called before a magistrates’ court solely upon the availability of jail space. Some people might be in police cells or freed on bond while they wait for trials, which might delay court proceedings. The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that those who “pose a risk to the public” would not be eligible for bail and that police powers to apprehend offenders will not be compromised.
“Police will continue to arrest anyone that they need to keep the public safe, including policing events and activities and ensuring that people are arrested as expected,” Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp of the NPCC said.
Government and Prison Officials Address Long-Term Solutions
Lord Timpson said, “We inherited a judicial system in crisis and subject to shocks. We have been, therefore, compelled to make tough but essential decisions to keep it running.
Chair of the Prison Officers’ Association Mark Fairhurst pointed out that individuals imprisoned may find themselves in prisons distant from their hometowns. He said, “We will ensure those people who need to be in prison will be in prison. They are not exactly in their neighborhood; they may be two or three hundred miles from home, but we will provide someone with a jail cell.
With an 87,893 jail population, the current capacity of the English and Welsh prison system is 89,191. Emphasizing the long-standing problem in the court system, the Magistrates Association’s Chief Executive said it was “no surprise” the emergency measures were triggered. “The civil disorder in recent weeks has highlighted the relevance of a well-run, well-funded justice system and sparked debate on what needs to be done to fix this for the longer term,” he said.
Upcoming Measures to Alleviate Pressure
More steps are scheduled in September to generate more jail capacity. The Justice Secretary has revealed plans to lower the percentage of sentence offenders who must serve behind bars from 50% to 40%. This temporary modification anticipates the early release of around 5,500 criminals in September and October. Those found guilty of sex offenses, terrorism, domestic violence, or some severe crimes will not be covered by this provision, though.
Once this strategy is followed, the “enormous pressure” on jails will “ease.” Early implementation of the plan is deemed impractical as the probation service is “working flat out” to apply the reforms by September.
The administration has indicated that the early release plans will not exclude anyone engaged in recent disturbances. According to government sources, Operation Early Dawn is an emergency for temporary usage. The strategy will be examined routinely even if its termination date still needs to be set. When last turned on in May, the Conservative administration said the measure would be in place for one week.