Commenting on figures showing that over 28,000 inmates have been released from prison early in the past 11 months, Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Secretary, David Howarth said:

"Despite releasing over 28,000 criminals from prison early in under a year, the prison population continues to hit new highs.

"These short-term panic measures will do nothing to solve the overcrowding crisis the Government has created in its desperation to look tough.

"The long-term solution is not to release dangerous offenders early but to move prisoners with drug and mental health problems into more appropriate secure accommodation.

"There needs to be a greater use of other forms of sentencing, such as restorative justice, which have been shown to be more effective than short prison sentences in reducing crime."