Tens of thousands of offenders are being released from Crown Court with suspended sentences – despite having over 70 prior convictions, The Mail on Sunday has uncovered.
Police records indicate that individuals who had been found guilty were let out of jail even though they had extensive criminal histories, including severe offenses such as violent acts.
Data reveals that 755 offenders, who were found guilty in Crown Court in England and Wales, had over 76 prior convictions but still avoided prison, receiving a suspended sentence instead.
An additional 1,011 offenders who had 61 to 75 prior convictions were released, as well as 2,280 convicted individuals with 46 to 60 previous convictions.
The data also indicates that 3,015 offenders had between 36 and 45 prior convictions, 5,361 had 26 to 35, and 10,012 had 15 to 25.
The results come from the Police National Computer (PNC) database and pertain to 2024, the most recent complete year with data available.
The information came to light through a written parliamentary inquiry submitted on January 28 by Conservative MP Neil O’Brien to Justice Secretary David Lammy.
Mr. O’Brien inquired about the number of convicted individuals who were not given a prison sentence and the quantity of prior convictions they had.
Junior justice minister Jake Richards answered by sharing information from the PNC database.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated that the data indicated hazardous criminals were being released early because of the government’s contentious parole program.
It began in September 2024, two months following Sir Keir Starmer’s appointment as Prime Minister, and has resulted in approximately 50,000 prisoners being released ahead of schedule.
Mr. Philp stated, “Under the current Labour administration, hazardous offenders who have prior convictions are being released early through the suspended sentence program.”
The authorities ought to focus on removing foreign national criminals.
The Department of Justice stated: ‘Safeguarding the public is our main concern, and we need to make sure the most dangerous criminals are incarcerated.’
We have implemented strong measures to address the system we received.
That encompasses the biggest prison construction initiative in more than a hundred years, supported by as much as £7 billion in funding.
A government official stated: ‘All the offenders identified in this data were either convicted under the previous administration or by regulations established by the prior government.’
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