evidence: A senior police source said criminals would take advantage by committing crimes they would not usually do such as looting, while former prisoners released on licence would be more likely to reoffend because they knew they would be less likely to be recalled. [...] Alex Chalk, the previous justice secretary, has confirmed that he also prepared plans to release some prisoners after 40% of their sentence and to send fewer people to jail in the first place but these were shelved over fears of a lack of support in parliament. [...] Harriet Wistrich, the founder of the Centre for Women’s Justice, said: "Clearly there is a crisis in prisons that needs to be addressed. However, where someone represents a danger or risk then early release could have disastrous consequences, particularly where the probation service and adequate supervision of those released on licence is also on its knees."