Why thousands of UK prisoners are being freed early

The Global Story - A podcast by BBC World Service

There is an overcrowding crisis in UK prisons. There are also problems with gang violence, drug abuse, self harm and a record number of weapons now being made in jails. To deal with the chronic overcrowding, the UK government has begun releasing thousands of prisoners early in England and Wales.Katya Adler is joined by senior UK correspondent Sima Kotecha to talk about her time inside one of Britain's most notorious jails as they examine how the prison system in England and Wales has been stretched to breaking point.Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts and Eleanor SlySound engineers: Matt Dean and Mike RegaardAssistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson