Wolverhampton MP Welcomes PM’s Decision To Bar Sex Offenders From Early-Release Scheme

A Wolverhampton MP has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s announcement that people convicted of rape, grooming and serious child sexual offences will be excluded from the government’s early-release-from-prison scheme.

The government confirmed on Monday that the Sentencing Act 2026 will no longer allow early release for those offences in England and Wales. The change is due to take effect from October and will be added to a list of existing exclusions.

Warinder Juss, Labour MP for Wolverhampton West, said protecting the public and standing up for victims "must always come first."

"I welcome the prime minister's decision to ensure that offenders convicted of rape, serious child sexual offences and grooming crimes are excluded from these sentencing changes," Juss said. "The government has taken the responsible decision to protect victims while preventing the prison system from reaching breaking point."

The government says around 5,000 offenders were scheduled to be released early under the Sentencing Act 2026 to ease overcrowding in prisons. The new exclusions for sexual offences will be added to protections that already apply to roughly 18,000 prisoners, including those serving life sentences and those judged by courts to be the most dangerous.

Prime Minister Burnham launched a review of the early-release scheme after taking office and said he considered widening the list of excluded offences. He warned, however, that pressing further changes would risk the prison system reaching capacity and potentially collapsing, which he said could present a greater threat to public safety.

What Happens Next: The exclusions take effect in October. The government will continue to balance public safety with efforts to manage prison capacity, while ministers review other possible changes to sentencing and release policies.