Poll: Should automatic early release for prisoners be ended?
Child rapists and terrorists will no longer be automatically released at the half-way point of their prison sentence.
Changes to automatic half-way release are expected to affect around 600 criminals a year
In addition, criminals who receive an Extended Determinate Sentence (EDS) - sentences where the offender receives a custodial sentence plus a further extended period of licence - will no longer be released automatically two-thirds of the way into their custodial sentence.
Under the proposals unveiled by the Justice Secretary Chris Grayling, these criminals will only be released before the end of their custodial term under strict conditions at the discretion of the independent Parole Board.
Primary legislation, which will be brought forward in the new year, is required for the new changes, which are expected to affect around 600 criminals a year.
