Abuse survivor anxious over early jail releases

Anna, not her real name, said her anxiety was "through the roof" at the thought of her abuser being released early from jail

A domestic abuse survivor said she was "desperately worried" her former partner could be freed from prison as part of a government scheme.

As ministers attempt to ease overcrowding in prisons, charities and victims have warned some prisoners with histories of abuse could slip through the net and be released.

The government said sex offenders and domestic abusers were not eligible for early release.

But Anna - not her real name - who is living at a refuge in Wolverhampton, said she was not reassured as she was concerned known domestic abusers could be in prison for other offences.

"I feel desperately worried. People might not be arrested for domestic violence but it's on their record so they could be in for something else," she added.

"Because they're not in for a domestic abuse crime, they could be released early and a lot of women are going to be on edge.

"I know for me it sent my mental health and anxiety through the roof."

More than 1,700 prisoners were freed early on Tuesday in England and Wales as the government moved to lower the current prison population.

Danger to women highlighted by charity

According to the Prison Officers Association, 85 prisoners were released from jails across the West Midlands:

• 32 from HMP Stoke Heath in Shropshire

• 21 from HMP Featherstone near Wolverhampton

• Two from HMP Brinsford in Staffordshire

• 10 from HMP Birmingham

• 20 ex-prisoners from HM Prison Onley near Warwickshire

The government said offenders jailed for violent offences with sentences of at least four years, sex offenders and domestic abusers were not eligible for early release.

But the domestic abuse commissioner for England and Wales told the BBC that some "known perpetrators" of domestic abuse may have been among those released.

While the Napo probation union said domestic abusers were among those released.

It described the early prisoner release scheme as a “ticking time bomb that could put public safety at risk”.

In response, the Ministry of Justice pointed out eligibility for the scheme was based on the offence, not the offender. Some offenders may have been released early from a sentence for a lesser offence when they had previously completed a sentence for a sexual or violent offence, it added.

Wolverhampton-based domestic abuse charity Haven said the scheme had left many abuse survivors "unsettled".

" [Prisoners] being released brings them back into society and that offers a danger for women who are going to be really unsettled by that news," a spokeswoman said.

Information and support for anyone affected by sexual abuse can be found on BBC Action Line.