Offences against Children: Prisoners' Release
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether prisoners convicted of being parts of grooming gangs will be released early under the Sentencing Act 2026.
Answered by Jake Richards
The grooming gang scandal was one of the worst of our time, and this Government is determined to get to the truth behind years of systemic failure in the response to the appalling crimes which gang members committed. Prosecutions and convictions are now at their highest ever levels, and we have made grooming an aggravating factor so that the horrific impact of this offending on victims and survivors is recognised in sentencing.
The changes to release do not apply to offenders serving Sentences for Offenders of Particular Concern Extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences. As a result, over 18,000 of the most dangerous offenders are entirely unaffected by these reforms and will continue to be released under their existing arrangements.
Once released, offenders will be managed under strict licence conditions in the community. Offenders released on licence can be recalled if they breach their conditions or if they cannot be safely managed in the community.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →