Straw bans early release for terrorism-related offenders

LONDON (Reuters) - Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced on Friday a ban on anyone jailed on terrorism-related offences being released early after it was disclosed such a prisoner was freed early under emergency overcrowding measures.

Yassin Nassari, who had been convicted for possessing terrorism-related documents, was released 17 days early from Wakefield Prison as a result of prison overcrowding.

The 28-year-old had been sentenced to 3-1/2 years last July after files on the hard drive of his computer showed plans for building a missile and extensive material on jihad, or holy war.

The time he had spent in prison since his arrest in May 2006 had counted towards his sentence.

But the category A prisoner was let out 17 days early on February 11 this year under the end of custody licence (ECL) scheme.

The emergency measure was brought in last year to allow non-dangerous inmates to be freed up to 18 days early to ease the overcrowding in Britain's overstretched prisons.

Nassari was subject to the normal arrangements with the relevant police and probation services, and no re-offence had been recorded.

Only prisoners serving less than four years are eligible for the scheme.

Those convicted of terrorism-related offences involving serious violence, such as using explosives to commit grievous bodily harm or hijacking are excluded.