MORE than 1,700 prisoners have been released early across England and Wales as part of a government initiative to free up space in prisons.

Due to concerns that overcrowding had pushed prisons to the "point of collapse", the government announced plans in July to temporarily cut the proportion of sentences that must be served from 50 percent to 40 percent.

With the recent influx of prisoners from the nationwide riots and disorder adding to the problem, the prisoner release scheme began on Tuesday, September 10.

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A prison cell at HMP HindleyA prison cell at HMP Hindley (Image: HM Inspectorate of Prisons)
The government said offenders jailed for violent offences with sentences of at least four years, sex offenders and domestic abusers were not eligible for early release.

However, the move has proven controversial as it has allowed convicted killers and abusers out into the community before their full sentence has been served.

Further concerns have been raised about the risk of reoffending from these prisoners.

At prisons across Merseyside, the Prison Officer's Association confirmed that 33 prisoners have been released early at HMP Liverpool and 35 at HMP Altcourse as part of the scheme.

At the nearby HMP Hindley, the Prison Officer's Association confirmed that 28 prisoners have been released early as part of the scheme. The Ministry of Justice could not confirm the category of those prisoners released.

Hundreds more prisoners are due to be freed early next month in the second stage of the scheme, while Ministers are under pressure to find longer-term solutions to the problem of overcrowded prisons.