Women could be murdered if domestic abusers are freed from prison early, charity urgently warns

Exclusive NewsPolitics Andy Burnham will this week announce detail's of the scheme to let prisoners out of jail early WOMEN “could die” if domestic abusers are let out of prison early, a charity has warned. And independent MP Rosie Duffield – herself a domestic abuse survivor – warned No10 is “gambling with lives” if they let these thugs out. Prison officers and prisoners walk down the corridor of the A wing at Wandsworth prison Credit: Getty The government is announcing details of its early prisoner release scheme on Tuesday – letting hundreds of inmates out of jail early. Veronica Oakeshott, from the charity Women’s Aid, is calling for domestic abusers to be kept locked up. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! She said: “There is a possibility offenders released under this scheme will go on to murder a victim. “For some perpetrators, prison is just a brief pause in the pattern of abusive behaviour which they have every intention of continuing. “Women could die as a result of this early release scheme.” Canterbury MP Ms Duffield was subjected to terrifying verbal abuse, humiliation and financial control by her ex. She said: “The truth is, I still sometimes look over my shoulder because of my ex. “With all the threats MPs face today, I know I have that extra added concern, and that is always going to be in my life. Most read in The Sun “But compared to most women who are victims of domestic abuse, I actually had it easier because I was able to leave and this is over now. It must be a million times worse for most women. “Domestic abusers who are in prison will have been sitting there stewing and blaming the woman and thinking: how can I take her down when I’m out? “The abuser blames you. They blame you when they get caught, they blame you for making them abuse you in the first place. Everything is your fault. Independent MP Rosie Duffield pictured in Canterbury. She has warned of the dangers of releasing domestic abusers from prison early Credit: The Times “Releasing domestic abusers early is gambling with lives. You don’t know which one will try to get revenge on his ex or their family. “It is a really stupid false economy letting them out to free up a few prison cells. They will reoffend.” Andy Burnham is expected to announce that PC Harper’s killers will be excluded from the early release scheme. But any serious offenders are set to walk free – including domestic abusers. Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson yesterday admitted that she has “lots of concerns about some of the choices we are being confronted with” on the early release scheme. But she said the government had no option but to act. She said: “We were facing the wholesale collapse of the criminal justice system.” Comment now