Early-release inmates commit crimes

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When added to the eight committed by those released in the first few days of the scheme, it brings the total number of new offences to 56. Figures also showed 43 offenders are on the run after failing to meet terms of the emergency measures.

New Ministry of Justice (MoJ) data showed 2,131 inmates were freed between July 6 and July 31, bringing the total since the start of the scheme to 3,832.

An MoJ spokeswoman said that the annual number of inmates released early was likely to be about 30,000 - higher than the Government's initial prediction of 25,500.

Shadow justice secretary Nick Herbert said: "Offenders are being released on to our streets at a far greater rate than the Government admitted.

"They include hundreds of violent criminals and many who have immediately gone on to commit new offences - all a direct result of the Government's incompetence in ignoring warnings of prison numbers.

"Early release is further undermining public confidence in the criminal justice system. It must be halted immediately and emergency secure accommodation provided instead."

The figures mean 703 inmates convicted of violence against the person have been freed, as have 78 robbers and 359 burglars. Among the total was a male sex offender released by mistake and later recalled to jail. Another sex offender was also freed, but this was a woman convicted of a sex-trafficking offence.

Separate MoJ figures showed latest predictions of the size of the prison population in England and Wales have fallen significantly. But the Government may still be short of jail places even with its programme to build 9,500 extra prison beds.

When the current capacity is expanded to about 91,000 by 2012, the highest prediction for the number of inmates is 96,400, meaning there would be a shortfall of more than 5,000.