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Prisons have been back in the news, with early releases and the capacity crisis the gift that keeps on giving. But what is *actually* happening? How much of their sentence do people spend in prison at the moment, and how will that change? @marialaura-lacorte.bsky.social and I explain all:

How will the new prison early release scheme work? | Institute for GovernmentThe Sentencing Act 2026 has brought in several changes to early release in England and Wales.www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Rather concerningly, the lawyer for the Tate brothers has confused “extradition” with “execution”. Young lawyers note - be careful not to do this in court.

Why has a chief constable been talking about challenging the decision to release two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers after they have served half their sentences in prison? Isn’t it normal for prisoners to be released half-way through their sentences, or earlier? rozenberg.substack.com/p/could-kill...

Could killers serve longer?Why were they told they would serve two-thirds in the first place?rozenberg.substack.com

I can’t believe ‘here’s your prison sentence, you will serve half, but your co-defendant who got a bit longer for something a bit worse will do two-thirds, but one of you can go home early on curfew and that one will now do a third and the other a half’ hasn’t worked out for us.

Re: pervert glasses. Should it occur to anyone that they might use them to film court or tribunal proceedings, don’t do that. It’s a criminal offence.

Yes I acknowledge it makes sense in context but “I need my car to meet criminals” is now my favourite basis for an attempted exceptional hardship plea. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

BREAKING: Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated to the press today that he may scrap controversial plans to reduce access to jury trials.

NEW at the Empty City On the early release of prisoners The political-media addiction to lengthy sentences, and its consequences emptycity.substack.com/p/on-the-ear...

On the early release of prisonersThe political-media addiction to lengthy sentences, and its consequencesemptycity.substack.com

Every criminal defence lawyer should now be asking - as standard: * Has any piece of evidence, schedule, digital search, summary, or unused assessment been conducted by AI? * Has any witness used AI in the formulation of their statement, exhibits or in preparation of giving oral evidence at trial?

NEW at The Empty City No, the Justice Secretary does not need to be a lawyer Why it is far more important to have an effective politician as Lord Chancellor, rather than somebody who happens to be legally qualified emptycity.substack.com/p/no-the-jus...