More than 80,000 criminals are set to be released early under Labours controversial prisons scheme, analysis shows.
Most lags will serve just 40 per cent of sentences handed down by the courts under the programme launched this week by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
More than 56,000 offenders sent to prison a year, on average, may be eligible for early release under the terms of the scheme, data published by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) indicates.
It excludes offenders jailed for sex crimes, terrorism and serious violent crimes carrying more than four years imprisonment.
Ms Mahmood has said her programme will be in operation for 18 months until it is reviewed.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves Downing Street to attend Parliament on September 11, 2024
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood during a visit to HMP Bedford in Harpur, Bedfordshire
A group of men carrying personal belongings leave Holme House Prison in Stockton-on-Tees on Tuesday
A pair of men carrying bags, with one attempting to cover his face with a blue coat, leave the gates at HMP Liverpool on Tuesday
Based on the MoJs own figures, this means around 84,000 criminals may be eligible over that 18-month period, an analysis by the Mail suggests.
It comes after scores of jailbirds partied in the street after being let out on Tuesday, the first day of the scheme, including some who were sprayed with champagne and greeted by friends in luxury cars.
Tory MP Neil OBrien said: The sickening scenes of criminals celebrating that we saw the other day are just the start.
This is going to be happening all the time from now on.
It has now become clear that a huge number of offenders - some of them dangerous - will be let out of jail early under this scheme.
He added: The Government has taken the worst possible option by allowing criminals out.
It should instead be concentrating on removing foreign national offenders and reducing numbers on remand by tackling court backlogs, which would create prison space for thousands.
The Government has refused to reveal how many offenders may benefit from the scheme, apart from 5,500 due to be released over the next six weeks.
More than 1,700 convicts were freed on Tuesday alone.
Stuart Bennett does a dance in the street as he leaves HM Prison Leeds yesterday
Fallen Hollywood Brit flick star Jason Hoganson seen outside HM Prison Durham yesterday
More than 56,000 offenders sent to prison a year, on average, may be eligible for early release under the terms of the scheme. A prison guard walks past HMP Wandsworth
People seen leaving HMP Bristol on September 10, 2024
People spray sparkling wine over a man who walked out of Nottingham Prison on September 10 - the day the early release scheme came into effect
Yesterday, the Mail disclosed dozens of killers sentenced to less than four years imprisonment for manslaughter are set to be released early.
Ms Mahmood has accused the previous Conservative government - which freed 10,000 inmates early under a previous scheme - of a dereliction of duty for leaving the jails in chaos.
In the Commons yesterday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told MPs: Im angry to be put in a position of having to release people who should be in prison because the last government broke the prison system.
The prime minister was repeatedly warned that he had to adopt the scheme that we put in place.
But shadow home secretary James Cleverly accused Labour of overseeing a mass amnesty.
An MoJ spokesman said: This Government inherited a justice system on the verge of collapse. The worst possible outcome for victims would have been to allow this to happen.
Dangerous criminals would have walked the streets with impunity, knowing the police would not have been able to arrest them, because there would have been no prison cell waiting for them.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told MPs in the Commons yesterday: Im angry to be put in a position of having to release people who should be in prison because the last government broke the prison system
Ms Mahmood (pictured) accused the previous Conservative government - which freed 10,000 inmates early under a previous scheme - of a dereliction of duty for leaving the jails in chaos
Shadow home secretary and Tory leader hopeful James Cleverly (pictured) accused Labour of overseeing a mass amnesty
We have been forced into taking difficult but necessary action, with safeguards in place, so we can keep locking up offenders and protect the public.
Those released under this scheme will be subject to full probation supervision and will in many cases face tough restrictions such as tags, curfews and exclusion zones.
In the 12 months to December, 71,745 offenders were sent to jail in England and Wales.
Most receive short sentences, feeding a constant churn in the prison population - which last week hit an all-time high of 88,521.
Meanwhile, a mother whose ex threatened to slit her throat and petrol-bomb her home said she had been left physically sick after learning he will be freed from jail early.
Natasha Brine, 30, was left in constant terror during a terrifying four-month campaign of harassment at the hands of Jack Poore.
He was jailed in December last year for 35 months but will walk free next week, three-and-a-half months early.
Jack Poore (pictured) was jailed in December last year for 35 months but will walk free next week, three-and-a-half months early
Natasha Brine (pictured) said she had been left physically sick after learning Poore will be freed from jail early
Mum-of-three Miss Brine said she has suffered horrific nightmares since learning his time behind bars will be cut short.
She said: I thought he would be released around Christmas time, so I thought I had at least four months to prepare.
But all of a sudden he will be out and it has knocked me for six.