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THEY'RE OUT

Moment lag let out early shouts ‘big up Keir Starmer – I’m off to McDonalds’ before leaving prison in £200k Bentley

They’re all prisoners with sentences of longer than 5 years so more serious than last time

THIS IS the moment a lag let out of prison early today shouted "big up Keir Starmer - I'm off to McDonald's".

Inmate Daniel Dowling-Brooks celebrated getting his freedom with family and friends outside HMP Swaleside before being picked up in a £200,000 Bentley.

Daniel Dowling-Brooks celebrates after being released outside HM Prison Swaleside
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Daniel Dowling-Brooks celebrates after being released outside HM Prison SwalesideCredit: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
Dowling-Brooks said his first stop will be McDonald's
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Dowling-Brooks said his first stop will be McDonald'sCredit: PA
Lag Sheik Yaqub Al Sabah was seen leaving HMP Wandsworth in a Lamborghini
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Lag Sheik Yaqub Al Sabah was seen leaving HMP Wandsworth in a LamborghiniCredit: Darren Fletcher

Hundreds more prisoners are due to follow suit today as they're released under plans to reduce overcrowding in jails across England and Wales.

The driver of a Rolls Royce Cullinan super car was parked up outside HMP Ford this morning and when asked by The Sun who he was collecting, he joked: "The Pope."

Dad-of-two Dowling-Brooks, 29, told reporters he had been in prison for seven years for kidnap and grievous bodily harm of someone who owed money to his friend, and was leaving jail seven weeks earlier than planned.

He said the first thing he would do is "go to McDonalds, go to my hostel and follow all the rules".

It is the second mass release of prisoners this year, after around 1,700 prisoners were let out early in September.

This morning the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the mistakes that led to the release in error of 37 prisoners as part of the scheme to ease overcrowding last month have been "ironed out" as the new wave of releases are due to start.

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Mercedes and Bentley cars escort lags from HM Prison Swaleside on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent
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Mercedes and Bentley cars escort lags from HM Prison Swaleside on the Isle of Sheppey, KentCredit: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
A released prisoner hugs his kids after being released today
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A released prisoner hugs his kids after being released todayCredit: PA
  • In pictures – HMP Swaleside

    Daniel Dowling-Brooks, 29, celebrates with friends and family who picked him up in a convoy of a white Bentley and black Mercedes G-wagon outside HMP Swaleside on Tuesday.

    He told reporters he had been in prison for seven years for kidnap and grievous bodily harm of someone who owed money to his friend, and was leaving jail seven weeks earlier than planned.

    He said the first thing he would do is “go to McDonald’s, go to my hostel and follow all the rules”.

    On leaving he said, “big up Keir Starmer”.

  • PM shares the ‘public’s anger’

    The Prime Minister says he “shares the public’s anger” at chaotic scenes outside prisons today as hundreds of inmates were released – including one who shouted “big up Keir Starmer”.

    Sir Keir’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister shares the public’s anger at these scenes and thinks it is shocking that any government should ever inherit the crisis that this government has when it comes to our prisons.

    “But just to be clear, there was no choice not to act. If we had not acted, we would have faced a complete paralysis of the system.”

    He said this marks the “second and final” release of prisoners under the Government’s scheme.

    Asked if there could be another scheme for future early releases, he said the focus would move to reforms to sentencing and building prisons to create more spaces.

  • All out

    By Sam Creed, News Reporter

    HMP Brixton

    Staff at HMP Brixton have confirmed all lags on the scheme had been released by midday on Tuesday.

    Approximately 30 inmates left the prison, with some opting to stop by the Fresh Start Centre as they left.

    Two prisoners were seen embracing each other before heading in different directions as they walked away from the Category C prison. 

  • Foreign offenders to face ‘accelerated’ deportations

    Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, pictured below, is currently making a statement to parliament on more reforms to prisons.

    This includes the expansion of home detention curfews from six months to 12 months – a modern form of house arrest – making it quicker and easier to release low-risk offenders who have been recalled to prison.

    There is also a plan to “accelerate” the deportation of foreign offenders.

  • In pictures – HMP Liverpool

    Former inmates are pictured leaving prison in Liverpool yesterday morning.

  • Former Conservative minister to lead review into prison sentencing

    Sir Keir Starmer has appointed the former Conservative justice secretary David Gauke, below, to lead the review into prison sentencing.

    The Labour Party said in its general election manifesto it would establish a review of sentencing “to ensure it is brought up to date”.

    As part of the review, criminals could serve sentences at home under house arrest as part of government plans to “reshape and redesign” punishments outside prison.

    It comes as more than 1,000 prisoners are set to be released today under controversial plans to reduce overcrowding in jails across England and Wales.

  • Criminals could serve sentences at home

    Criminals could serve sentences at home under house arrest as part of government plans to “reshape and redesign” punishments outside prison.

    Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, pictured below, is carrying out a sentencing review, with plans for a major expansion of community punishments as an alternative to jail, in which judges use technology to create virtual “prisons outside of prison”.

  • In pictures – HMP Ford

    Here are some pictures from outside HMP Ford yesterday morning.

  • ‘Conditions are shocking and drugs are rife – but I’ll be back in soon’, says man released early TWICE

    By Ed Southgate, News Reporter

    HMP Wandsworth

    A 27-year-old man released early today was part of the last early release scheme having been jailed again after failing to attend probation. 

    The man gave his name as “Harry” and told The Sun he expects to be recalled again because he won’t attend probation. 

    His original offence was shoplifting several bottles of wine.

    Asked his views on the early release scheme, the man, who said he was homeless, added: “I think it’s fair for low-level crime like myself.” 

    On the prison itself, he said: “The conditions in the prison are shocking. The cells are shot and drugs are rife.”

    He told reporters: “Apart from being drunk and disorderly, and being a k—-head, I haven’t committed crimes that are worth going to jail for. It’s stupid.”

  • In pictures – HMP Liverpool

    Former inmates are pictured leaving prison in Liverpool yesterday morning.

  • ‘Technology to play a bigger role in punishment’, says Gauke

    The chairman of the government’s new sentencing review has given more details of his plans.

    Following his appointment, David Gauke, a former Conservative minister, added his role would explore whether new technology could play a bigger role in punishment and rehabilitation outside prison.

    He said: “We now have access to electronic tagging that is more sophisticated than was the case in the past, we can do drink and drug monitoring,” he said.

    “I think that does raise questions as to whether we can do more with people out of prison. there’s a proper punishment, the public is protected but they’re better placed to be rehabilitated.”

  • Nigel Farage offers alternative to early release scheme

    Below is what the Reform MP had to say on X, formerly Twitter, this morning. It comes amid government plans to “accelerate” the deportation of foreign offenders (see post at 14.11).

  • ‘I think it’s brilliant – I’ll definitely vote Labour in future’

    By Emily-Jane Heap, News Reporter

    HMP Maidstone

    A convicted drug dealer says he will be voting Labour in future after Keir Starmer’s early release scheme shaved three months off his sentence.

    Speaking outside HMP Maidstone this afternoon, Monder Schayer, 35, from Brighton, said: “I think it’s brilliant. I got three months cut off my sentence. I will definitely be voting for Labour in future.

    “It’s definitely working to free up spaces too. I think the whole system would collapse if they didn’t do it. The courts wouldn’t be able to send anyone else to prison because the prisons are so full. 

    “And if you look at those who have actually been recalled from the last early release scheme, they’re few and far between. None of my inmates from here came back after they were let out.”

    Schayer was convicted of attempting to supply drugs and jailed for five-and-a-half years but was released at 1.30pm today after serving just two-and-a-half years.

  • Strangeways release

    By Morgan Johnson, News Reporter

    HMP Manchester

    Fourteen prisoners have been released from HMP Manchester, known locally as Strangeways.

    None of the newly released convicts wanted to speak directly to reporters, photographers or cameramen outside as they quickly headed for waiting family and friends.

    Seemingly aware of the media interest in the early release of prisoners, many wore Covid-era face masks or covered their faces with the white release papers they clutched along with holdall bags of personal possessions.

    Of the 14 newly released from around 9.30 to midday, it is not known how many were freed early due to the scheme or released after “time served”.

    After brief hugs, kisses and handshakes outside the jail, most were quickly whisked away in waiting cars.

    One man would only say he had been released nine months early from his sentence of seven-and-a-half years, thanks to the new scheme.

    Another shaven-headed ex-prisoner, wearing trainers, jeans and a grey sweatshirt said he had served five years and was angry at conditions inside.

    “It’s corrupt,” he shouted. “They beat people up. It’s corrupt and abusive. There’s no mental health,” he said, before climbing into a car driven by a friend and leaving.

    Strangeways was recently the subject of a report citing high-levels of violence and rat infestations.

  • Releasing prisoners early ‘only buys us some time’ – Justice Secretary

    Emergency measures such as releasing prisoners early “only buys us some time” on prison overcrowding, the Justice Secretary has said.

    Shabana Mahmood told BBC Breakfast: “Even pulling these emergency release levers, it only buys us some time.

    “It’s not going to make the problem, the underlying problem, go away, and that is because the demand for prison places is going up by around 4,500 every single year.”

    She said that the Government is committed to building 14,000 extra prison places that the last Conservative Government “failed to deliver”.

    “But it’s not going to be enough, because this is not a crisis that you can build your way out of, because the demand is going up simply, very, very quickly, and that’s why I’ve announced a sentencing review today.”

  • PM shares the ‘public’s anger’

    The Prime Minister says he “shares the public’s anger” at chaotic scenes outside prisons today as hundreds of inmates were released – including one who shouted “big up Keir Starmer”.

    Sir Keir’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister shares the public’s anger at these scenes and thinks it is shocking that any government should ever inherit the crisis that this government has when it comes to our prisons.

    “But just to be clear, there was no choice not to act. If we had not acted, we would have faced a complete paralysis of the system.”

    He said this marks the “second and final” release of prisoners under the Government’s scheme.

    Asked if there could be another scheme for future early releases, he said the focus would move to reforms to sentencing and building prisons to create more spaces.

  • ‘I’m a Labour voter’, says grinning inmate

    By Freya Parsons, News Reporter

    HMP Thameside

    Only one prisoner has been released from HMP Thameside, east London, today.

    The grinning inmate who served three months of his 10-month sentence was released at 11.05am and asked not to be named.

    He said: “I’m a Labour voter – I just think Labour is going to be better, especially for those with lower incomes.”

    The inmate was jailed for identity theft and was heading off to see his children.

    He thanked Keir Starmer for only having to serve less than a third of his sentence.

    It hasn’t yet been revealed when, if any, more prisoners are to be released from the Category B prison.

  • In pictures - images from outside prisons today

    The first image is taken at HMP Wandsworth; the second is outside HMP Manchester, better known as Strangeways.

  • Releasing prisoners early ‘only buys us some time’ – Justice Secretary

    Emergency measures such as releasing prisoners early “only buys us some time” on prison overcrowding, the Justice Secretary has said.

    Shabana Mahmood told BBC Breakfast: “Even pulling these emergency release levers, it only buys us some time.

    “It’s not going to make the problem, the underlying problem, go away, and that is because the demand for prison places is going up by around 4,500 every single year.”

    She said that the Government is committed to building 14,000 extra prison places that the last Conservative Government “failed to deliver”.

    “But it’s not going to be enough, because this is not a crisis that you can build your way out of, because the demand is going up simply, very, very quickly, and that’s why I’ve announced a sentencing review today.”

  • In pictures - HMP Swaleside

    Daniel Dowling-Brooks, 29, celebrates with friends and family who picked him up in a convoy of a white Bentley and black Mercedes G-wagon outside HMP Swaleside.

    He told reporters he had been in prison for seven years for kidnap and grievous bodily harm of someone who owed money to his friend, and was leaving jail seven weeks earlier than planned.

    He said the first thing he would do is “go to McDonald’s, go to my hostel and follow all the rules”.

    On leaving he said, "big up Keir Starmer".

  • Nigel Farage offers alternative to early release scheme

    Below is what the Reform MP had to say on X, formerly Twitter, this morning. It comes amid government plans to “accelerate” the deportation of foreign offenders (see post at 14.11).

  • 'I'm a free man'

    By Emily-Jane Heap, News Reporter

    HMP Maidstone

    A total of 16 prisoners were let out early from HMP Maidstone this afternoon.

    One jubilant inmate jumped in the air in the middle of the road and shouted “I’m a free man” as he was embraced by two friends. 

    Others covered their faces as they left in cars. 

    Staff confirmed no more prisoners are due to be released today.

  • 'I think it's brilliant – I'll definitely vote Labour in future'

    By Emily-Jane Heap, News Reporter

    HMP Maidstone

    A convicted drug dealer says he will be voting Labour in future after Keir Starmer’s early release scheme shaved three months off his sentence.

    Speaking outside HMP Maidstone this afternoon, Monder Schayer, 35, from Brighton, said: “I think it’s brilliant. I got three months cut off my sentence. I will definitely be voting for Labour in future.

    “It’s definitely working to free up spaces too. I think the whole system would collapse if they didn’t do it. The courts wouldn’t be able to send anyone else to prison because the prisons are so full. 

    “And if you look at those who have actually been recalled from the last early release scheme, they’re few and far between. None of my inmates from here came back after they were let out.”

    Schayer was convicted of attempting to supply drugs and jailed for five-and-a-half years but was released at 1.30pm today after serving just two-and-a-half years.

  • Strangeways release

    By Morgan Johnson, News Reporter

    HMP Manchester

    Fourteen prisoners have been released from HMP Manchester, known locally as Strangeways.

    None of the newly released convicts wanted to speak directly to reporters, photographers or cameramen outside as they quickly headed for waiting family and friends.

    Seemingly aware of the media interest in the early release of prisoners, many wore Covid-era face masks or covered their faces with the white release papers they clutched along with holdall bags of personal possessions.

    Of the 14 newly released from around 9.30 to midday, it is not known how many were freed early due to the scheme or released after "time served".

    After brief hugs, kisses and handshakes outside the jail, most were quickly whisked away in waiting cars.

    One man would only say he had been released nine months early from his sentence of seven-and-a-half years, thanks to the new scheme.

    Another shaven-headed ex-prisoner, wearing trainers, jeans and a grey sweatshirt said he had served five years and was angry at conditions inside.

    "It's corrupt," he shouted. "They beat people up. It's corrupt and abusive. There's no mental health," he said, before climbing into a car driven by a friend and leaving.

    Strangeways was recently the subject of a report citing high-levels of violence and rat infestations.

  • More prisoners released

    By Emily-Jane Heap, News Reporter

    HMP Maidstone

    Four prisoners were released early from HMP Maidstone shortly before 12.30pm today.

    Two of the prisoners hugged each other goodbye and introduced their families before getting into waiting cars and going their separate ways.

    A pal of one of the lags released this afternoon told The Sun his friend had been inside for two-and-a-half years after serving less than half of his six-year sentence. 

    The man, who asked not to be named, said: “My mate wasn’t meant to come out until March but thanks to the new Labour government he’s been released early - he’s just chuffed to be free.”

    HMP Maidstone holds approximately 600 inmates.

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