Last week, Dame Rebecca Harris MP joined Conservative colleagues in forcing a vote to stop the early release of rapists, grooming gangs' perpetrators and other serious offenders.
In recent weeks, survivors of rape and grooming gangs have received letters informing them that the offenders who abused them could soon be released from prison early.
The news comes following changes the Government is making to the prison system and to combat overcrowding in its Sentencing Act 2026. The Government’s plans include releasing serious criminals from prison part-way through their sentences from September.
Rebecca and the Conservatives have called for the Government to amend the Sentencing Act to exclude rapists and child sex offenders through emergency legislation or to delay the introduction of the early release scheme, to give the new Prime Minister a chance to repeal this decision.
They have argued that not one of these dangerous, disgusting people should ever have been included in Labour’s early release scheme. But it is not too late to do the right thing and keep convicted criminals behind bars.
For the first time in 2 years, the Conservatives defeated the Government in the vote.
But Ministers have now suggested they may press on with the early release scheme regardless of the vote.
If you agree that Labour should exempt rapists and other serious offenders from earlier release, sign and share the following petition demanding that they change their decision: www.whatlaboursaid.com/dont-free-rapists.
Following the vote, Rebecca said: “I know how much this matters to survivors of serious crime and residents across Castle Point. Serious criminals should not be let back onto our streets. They should remain behind bars.
“The early release scheme starts straight after the summer recess, on the 2nd of September. While Reform, Labour and the other political parties focus on playing political games, we’re focused on standing up for vulnerable people here in Castle Point.
“We will do everything we can to hold the Government to account and force Labour to U-turn. But we can't do it alone. I encourage anyone who wants to see this stopped to sign the petition.”
