The Ministry of Justice has initiated an emergency measure, dubbed Operation Early Dawn, to tackle prison overcrowding in England. Under this measure, defendants held in police custody may remain there instead of being transferred to magistrates’ courts for bail hearings. This precautionary step is taken in case there is insufficient space in jail cells to accommodate the defendant if they are remanded into custody.
[block_2]
Currently, Operation Early Dawn is being implemented in London and the North East regions. The Law Society, representing solicitors in England and Wales, anticipates significant delays in many magistrates’ court cases, with priority given to the most serious offences. Defendants not prioritised for immediate hearings may be released on police bail.
