‘Overcrowded’ and ‘set up to fail’: Freed prisoners react to early release scheme

Outside Wandsworth Prison in London, former bus driver Michael Bogle was adamant he would not return to the Victorian-era facility – describing the conditions as “awful”.

He served 78 days for shoplifting soap detergent, and had initially been given a suspended 32-week sentence but had breached it.

Bogle told reporters offenders were locked up for 23 hours a day. He said he knew of one prisoner who had recently taken his own life.

The early release scheme should continue, he said: “It’s good. Tagging is better than prison”.

Another man released from Wandsworth on Thursday – who declined to be named and said he had been sentenced for “taking things without paying for them” – said the prison was “so crowded even the rats are complaining”.

Matthew Johnson, 35 also spoke of poor conditions as he expressed relief to be leaving Leeds Prison.

He said he had been released after six months from an 18 month sentence for actual bodily harm.

Asked what he would say to opponents of early release, he said: “You want to see what’s inside these rooms, then you’ll know.

“It’s hectic. It’s crowded. It’s overcrowded – cells for one person with two people in them.”

He added: “Staff are overwhelmed anyway with what they’ve got to cope with at the minute”.