Early-release schemes reassurance

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His comments followed controversy last week over further extension of an early-release scheme - and the milestone of 26,000 inmates freed before the end of their sentence under the "end of custody licence" (ECL) initiative.

"There is no intention to introduce any more schemes," he said in an interview with the Press Association.

"ECL, which gives up to 18 days off a sentence, is a temporary scheme.

"If you ask me when it's going to come to an end, that depends on the availability of prison places and I'm afraid to say 'not yet' is the answer.

"I understand public concern about it but it's only two and a half weeks off a sentence."

As the number of inmates in England and Wales reaches the record level of 83,000, Mr Straw launched a new campaign to boost public confidence in community sentences.

The Ministry of Justice published a document detailing how non-custodial punishments - such as unpaid work and behaviour programmes - can reduce reoffending.

Asked whether government could ever hope to eradicate public concerns that community sentences are a "soft option", Mr Straw admitted: "I doubt it, is the answer."

Last year saw the "highest-ever rates of enforcement" in community sentences, he added.