Some offenders will be barred from the scheme, but families say it comes "at the expense of victims".

Justice Secretary Alex Norris has apologised to families affected by the early release scheme, saying they were "carrying the can from previous failures". Families, including a man whose pregnant partner died after being hit by a speeding driver, criticised the prisoner early release scheme, saying it comes "at the expense of victims". Andy Burnham announced that prisoners convicted of rape, grooming, and serious child sex offences will be excluded from the scheme in England and Wales. The prime minister said he wanted to exclude more, but prison overcrowding prevented this. Calvin Buckley said he was "shocked and disappointed" the killer of his partner and unborn child could be released early. The mother of PC Andrew Harper also said she was "devastated" to learn two men jailed after her son was killed will still be eligible. The prime minister said making more prisoners exempt was not possible without the prison system collapsing and putting the public "at much greater risk". Justice Secretary Alex Norris also warned a prison capacity crisis would be likely if fewer prisoners were allowed early release. Norris later said he spoke to the families as "it is really important to express that this shouldn't be where it is".