Former Home Office minister Jess Phillips said decisions regarding the early release of prisoners should be based on risk assessments rather than feelings [1].
This position addresses the tension between prison capacity management and public safety. By prioritizing objective risk data over emotional considerations, the proposal seeks to ensure that the release of inmates does not jeopardize the community or ignore the trauma of those affected by crime.
Speaking in an interview with Sky News, Phillips said the process must be rigorous and evidence-based [1]. She said that the current approach to early release needs a shift in focus to prioritize safety. "It should be based on risk, not feelings," Phillips said [1].
Beyond the technical assessment of risk, Phillips highlighted the necessity of involving those most impacted by the crimes. She said that victims should be consulted before prisoners are released early [3]. This requirement would integrate victim advocacy into the administrative process of the justice system.
Phillips said that the goal is to ensure the interests of victims, and the general public, are prioritized over the emotional or political pressures that may influence release decisions [1, 3]. The proposal emphasizes a structured framework where safety metrics dictate the timeline of a prisoner's return to society.
“"It should be based on risk, not feelings."”
This push for risk-based releases suggests a move toward a more clinical, data-driven approach to parole and early release in the UK. By insisting on victim consultation, Phillips is advocating for a system that balances the logistical need for prison space with the legal and moral rights of victims to be informed of a perpetrator's release.
