PM says he shares public’s anger but claims there would have been ‘paralysis’ if government had not acted

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Beaming prisoners were greeted with hugs and kisses as they stepped out of the metal gates of HMP Manchester and into the arms of waiting friends and family after being freed under the government’s early release scheme.

By lunchtime on Tuesday, 14 prisoners had been released from the prison, known locally as Strangeways, with several confirming they had been let go early. Two said they had been serving time for drugs offences.