Daniel Dowling-Brooks, a 29-year-old inmate from HMP Swaleside in Kent, was recently released early from prison and expressed gratitude towards Keir Starmer. He celebrated his release with his family and friends, who picked him up in a convoy of luxury cars. Dowling-Brooks, who was serving time for kidnap and grievous bodily harm, shared his plans to follow the rules and spend time with his children.
While Dowling-Brooks expressed regret for his past actions, he credited Keir Starmer for his early release. However, Downing Street clarified that the Prime Minister did not endorse criminals praising him. The early release of Dowling-Brooks is part of a larger initiative to ease overcrowding in prisons, with around 1,100 inmates expected to be released early.
In response to the growing prison population, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has launched a review into sentencing practices. The review aims to explore alternative punishments outside of prison while ensuring public confidence in the justice system. This includes utilizing technology and community-based alternatives to incarceration.
Mahmood highlighted the need to address prolific offending and crimes against women and girls through more severe sentencing. The review will also assess the impact of reducing inmates’ required time served behind bars to alleviate prison overcrowding. Despite initial challenges with the early release program, steps have been taken to prevent errors in the future.
As the prison population continues to grow, the government is committed to creating additional prison spaces and exploring innovative approaches to sentencing. The findings of the sentencing review are expected to be implemented by March 2026, with a focus on maintaining public safety and addressing the root causes of criminal behavior. Through these efforts, the government aims to strike a balance between punishment, rehabilitation, and public protection.
