Women fear abusive ex-partners’ early release as prison rules change

The government is due to begin changing prison release rules in England and Wales on 1 October, with about 700 additional prisoners estimated to leave on the first day. Three women have told BBC News they fear for their safety after being told their abusive former partners will be released early under the changes. The government says the policy is intended to ease pressure on prison places. [1] [2]

Karen Haynes said she had been told her former husband, Christopher Haynes, would leave prison in November. He was sentenced to 21 months in April after admitting coercive control and was given a lifelong restraining order barring him from contacting her. [1] [5]

Claire Milne has been told her former husband, Robert Dales, will be released early, the BBC reported. It said he was sentenced to three years after convictions for coercive control and possessing offensive weapons. The BBC used the name Alice for a third woman who fears her former partner’s release. [1]

Under the new rules, eligible prisoners serving standard fixed-term sentences can be released after serving at least a third of their term; those in a more serious offence category must serve at least half. Bad behaviour can keep them in prison longer. Rape, serious child sexual offences and offences related to unlawful killing are among the exclusions, but coercive control is not on the published list. [2] [4]

The government says those released will be supervised on licence and can be returned to prison if they breach its conditions. Electronic tagging is presumed unless unsuitable, while additional movement restrictions may be imposed on some serious sexual and violent offenders. Domestic Abuse Commissioner Dame Nicole Jacobs has warned that abusers will still be eligible and called for victims to have a meaningful role in assessing risk. [3] [8]