Jewish convicts to get Pesach reprieve

The government has confirmed that Jewish convicts are given temporary release from prison for Passover and allowed to spend time at home with their family for the festival.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice Sam Gyimah MP revealed the information in response to a question from Tory MP Phillip Davies, who wants to see an increase in the prisoner population, and opposes books being given to inmates.

Gyimah said Passover (Pesach) was one of the religious festivals considered for prisoners’ temporary release, alongside Easter, Diwali and Eid.

He said offenders “must meet strict criteria” but said temporary release was “used to prepare prisoners for their eventual release from custody” and that it “helps them build and maintain family ties, which is proven to help reduce re-offending”.