// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Prisoners freed early are returning to jail at rapid rate, governors tell BBC
Prisoners who were freed under the government's last early release scheme are returning to jail at a rapid rate, prison governors have told the BBC.
They say they are seeing the same inmates, who were let out as part of the 2024 early release scheme to ease overcrowding, coming back after reoffending - including for breaching their conditions.
"The churn is what stresses me out," said one governor in the Midlands, describing it as a "revolving door".
It comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced changes to the next early release scheme, starting in October, following outrage that the killers of PC Andrew Harper were among those eligible to be released.
On Sunday, Burnham announced that they will not be, telling the BBC that anyone convicted of unlawful killing will be excluded from the scheme.
He conceded that it means "hundreds" more people will stay in prison - as prisons in England and Wales reach breaking point at more than 97% full.
The government says there are plans to create more prison space by deporting foreign inmates and releasing some who are serving indefinite sentences, but they are unlikely to create much more space by the time the first batch of inmates are released in October.
BBC News spoke to three serving prison governors in England to gauge the state of correctional facilities and how staff are dealing with overcrowding. Prison staff are not supposed to speak to the media so their names and the prisons they govern will not be mentioned to protect their identity.
One governor from a prison in the north of England said the PM's plans to ease overcrowding "is all short-term solutions and we need space now".
"Providing additional cells in existing prisons will mean more prison staff needed to monitor that - it's not easy," they said, adding that staff shortages mean "prisoners are not living in a safe and decent environment".