Police forces across England and Wales respond critically to a Labour government plan to introduce early release for prisoners starting in September. Multiple police chiefs and forces say the policy would add further operational pressure on local police, describing it as “another ask” for officers. The planned release would affect thousands of prisoners, according to reporting, and forces argue they will face additional demands related to supervision and public-safety concerns that may arise after release. The criticism focuses on the timing and scale of the change, with police describing it as another responsibility layered onto existing workloads. The concerns are presented as a nationwide issue, with forces across different areas warning that resources and planning would be required to manage the implications of releasing large numbers of prisoners on an expanded basis. The reporting does not indicate that police will be given additional funding or staffing as part of the scheme, and the police response emphasizes the strain on local forces rather than opposition to the policy’s stated objectives.