A second phase of an early prisoner release scheme will see hundreds more inmates freed from prisons across England and Wales. This latest tranche focuses on prisoners serving sentences of up to two and a half years for various crimes. The scheme aims to alleviate pressure on the overcrowded prison system in England and Wales, and to facilitate rehabilitation. Details regarding the specific offences committed by those eligible have not been fully released, but officials confirm it applies to a wide range of non-violent crimes. This follows an initial phase of the early release initiative which saw a significant number of prisoners granted early freedom. The Ministry of Justice maintains that public safety remains the priority and risk assessments are conducted for all eligible offenders before release.