The United Kingdom released approximately 650 prisoners early on October 13 as the government continued its controversial effort to ease overcrowding in jails across England and Wales. It was the second wave of releases this month, following the early release of around 700 inmates on October 1.

Some prisoners released under the scheme have served only one-third of their sentences. Eligible inmates include people convicted of offenses such as theft, assault, stalking and domestic abuse, while those convicted of rape, the most serious child sex offenses and unlawful killing are excluded under the revised rules.

The government says the releases are necessary to prevent the prison system from running out of space. Prisons in England and Wales were operating at approximately 98% capacity, with the inmate population exceeding 87,000. Ministers have argued that overcrowding threatens the wider justice system's ability to function.

However, the policy has drawn criticism from Conservative lawmakers and public safety advocates, particularly over concerns that released offenders may not be properly monitored. Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy criticized the government's preparations, questioning how many prisoners had been fitted with electronic tags and how authorities were tracking reoffending.

Concerns have also emerged over the supervision of released inmates. Police and probation officers have warned that the influx of offenders is putting additional pressure on already strained services. The probation officers' union, Napo, has raised concerns about workloads and staffing, while some lawmakers have questioned whether electronic monitoring is being implemented consistently.

The first round of releases has also drawn scrutiny after some individuals were reportedly arrested again. One widely reported case involved a serial shoplifter who was released early and later returned to custody after another theft. Police in Greater Manchester also reportedly rearrested eight men over a weekend following the initial release round.

Ministers have defended the policy as a response to years of prison-capacity problems and say they are investing in additional prison places and victim-support services. The government has scheduled further releases as part of a broader plan expected to see thousands of prisoners leave custody early over the coming year.

The latest release round has renewed debate over whether easing overcrowding is being prioritized at the expense of completing prison sentences and ensuring effective supervision. With prisons still near capacity and probation services facing mounting demands, the government's approach remains under intense political and public scrutiny.