No HMP Isle of Wight prisoners are expected to be released early as part of emergency Government efforts to ease prison overcrowding.

That is according to POA, the professional trade union for prison, correctional and public and private mental health trust service providers.

It comes after Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced plans in July to cut temporarily the proportion of sentences which inmates must serve behind bars from 50 per cent to 40 per cent.

As of last week, prisoners are being automatically released after they have served 40 per cent of their sentence.

The Ministry of Justice says it expects around 5,500 people to leave prison early over September and October in the UK.

The change in policy doesn’t affect those who are in jail for serious violent offences with sentences of four years or more, as well as sex offenders.  

It only applies to a certain type of sentence, wherein prisoners are automatically released after a set amount of time.

The POA has confirmed no prisoners at HMP Isle of Wight will benefit from the change in policy, as the government looks to free up cells quickly.

Around 1,700 prisoners across the UK were released early last week in the first phase of the Government’s plan to tackle overcrowding, with some seen celebrating with friends and family, and having drinks outside.

Sir Keir Starmer said he was “angry” when he saw photos of offenders toasting their early release.

The Prime Minister has criticised Tory leader Rishi Sunak for “delaying” a decision to free up space behind bars until after the election, making the situation worse.