BACK ON STREETS Lags ‘handed McDonald’s vouchers and CASH by prisons’ as 100s set free months early under controversial scheme

 LAGS being released early from jail are reportedly being handed McDonald's vouchers and cash by prisons under a controversial new scheme.

More than 1,700 prisoners are being released early under Labour plans to ease pressure on the justice system.

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It is now understood some freed inmates are being handed supermarket and McDonald’s food vouchers, as well as help with onward transport.

Convicts are also being put up in hotels rather than bail hostels under the radical plans.

At Holme House Prison in Stockton-on-Tees, a woman, waiting for her husband to be released from his fraud sentence, said: "They’re getting money to help them get home, as well as McDonald's and supermarket food vouchers, but you know they’re just going to get drugs with them."

Djaber Benallaoua, 20, above, was released from HMP Isis at 9.30am before being greeted by five pals who embraced him with hugs.On his release, Benallaoua, a convicted drug dealer, said: "I'm now a lifelong Labour voter."

The scheme comes despite concerns over reoffending with offenders being let out having served less than half of their sentences in a bid to free up space behind bars.

The policy will see prisoners released after completing 40 per cent of their sentence – rather than the standard 50 per cent – in a bid to free up 5,500 beds