A convicted drug dealer freed from prison on Tuesday in the Government’s controversial prisoner release scheme said it has turned him into a “lifelong Labour voter”, according to reports.
Djaber Benallaoua, 20, was greeted by five friends this morning after he was let out of HMP Isis, a Category C young offenders institution in Thamesmead.
“I thank Labour. Because I’ve come out five or six months early than I was supposed to so I’m just happy,” he told MailOnline.
Photos from showed prisoners beaming as they returned to the streets, some some being sprayed with sparkling wine like triumphant F1 drivers.
It’s being done to free up space in the country’s overcrowded prisons, and the government insists the “unthinkable” alternative would have led to a “total collapse of the criminal justice system”.
Justifying the move, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “We inherited a prison system on the point of collapse.
“This is not a change we wanted to make – it was the only option left on the table because the alternative would have seen a total collapse of the criminal justice system.”
Benallaoua (pictured) was let out six months earlier than planned after originally being handed a two-and-a-half-year sentence.
“It’s a very good policy because it’s given a lot of prisoners a lot of hope,” he told the outlet.
“When prisoners found out they’d be released early they were very positive.”
Asked what he’s planning to do with his freedom, he said: “I’m just elated right now. I’m gonna get lit.”
(Image: W8 Media)