Around 700 offenders have begun walking free from dozens of prisons across England and Wales on Thursday, marking the first wave of the government’s scheme to ease severe prison overcrowding.

Inmates were seen leaving facilities including HMP Wandsworth and HMP Wormwood Scrubs in London, HMP Bristol, HMP Cardiff, and HMP Brixton, where many met waiting reporters to give their verdict on Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s policy.

Outside HMP Wandsworth, 38-year-old shoplifter Michael Bogle was released after serving 78 days for breaching a suspended sentence. Mr Bogle, who has 100 previous convictions and was placed in a bail hostel, told reporters: "Keep the early release going. It’s good." However, he acknowledged there was a risk he might offend again. Outside HMP Cardiff, another newly freed man sent a message to the Prime Minister: "Thank you very much and don’t get me back here again, bro."

Ukrainian national Vladimir Hudzyk was among those seen celebrating his release outside HMP Wormwood Scrubs, while at HMP Brixton, several inmates openly thanked Mr Burnham.

Among those leaving Brixton was 50-year-old David Elliott, who had been serving time for theft. Mr Elliott told reporters that offenders should receive help outside prison rather than being locked up, before claiming he would continue stealing now he was free. Conservative Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy circulated a video clip of the remarks online, though Mr Elliott later stated he had been "joking".

Several offenders expressed concern that a lack of support would see them quickly recalled to custody. Some said they feared breaching licence conditions because they had nowhere to live, with probation officers reporting difficulties in securing temporary accommodation for the sudden influx of releases.

Another released Brixton inmate, 37-year-old Dean, who was jailed for theft after breaking into a cupboard to sleep while homeless, raised concerns about fellow inmates being discharged alongside him. Noting that individuals who had assaulted partners were among those being freed, he said: "You’ve got some wrong ‘uns coming out and they shouldn’t come out. Do you know what I mean?"

The early release process follows significant public debate over which offences should be excluded from the scheme. The Prime Minister ensured that offenders responsible for deaths—including manslaughter and dangerous driving resulting in death—alongside rapists, serious child sex offenders, and groomers, remained behind bars after a severe backlash regarding the prospect of PC Andrew Harper's killers being freed.

However, individuals convicted of other serious offences have been discharged under the scheme. Outside Brixton, one man confirmed he had been serving a sentence for a "domestic" offence, while another man convicted of dangerous driving said he was "shocked" after receiving just three days' notice before his release.

The policy has drawn sharp criticism from political opponents. Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin warned of public safety risks, suggesting Mr Burnham could end up with blood on his hands, and argued the government should focus on deporting foreign offenders instead. Official figures show around 10,400 foreign nationals were held in custody as of March this year, comprising 6,458 sentenced prisoners, 3,588 on remand, and 441 non-criminal detainees.

The releases also come amid questions surrounding unused space across the prison estate. At HMP Dartmoor, cells currently sit empty after inmates were relocated and staff were transferred or sacked following the detection of radon gas at levels up to 10 times the recommended workplace limit. The Prison Service described the evacuation as a "precautionary measure".

The Express previously reported that two prisons are currently less than half full, while a further seven are more than a quarter empty. Responding to questions about cell usage, the Ministry of Justice stated that operating capacity depends on maintaining levels of "control, security and the proper operation of the planned regime", which is heavily affected by staffing constraints.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice maintained that the department is "refurbishing old and dilapidated cells as well as building four new prisons to address the demand for prison places and make prison more effective at cutting crime."

What remains to be seen is how probation services and local councils will cope with housing and supervising hundreds of released offenders simultaneously. I'll be tracking this closely — check back for updates.