The first wave of around 700 prisoners has been released early across the UK as authorities seek to ease overcrowding in prisons.

Axar.az reports, citing the Oxford Mail, that the releases began on Thursday as part of a government programme expected to see around 5,000 prisoners released early over the next year.

The number was initially expected to reach 6,000, but ministers excluded rapists, the most serious child sex offenders and people convicted of manslaughter from the scheme following criticism.

The government says the measure is necessary to ease pressure on overcrowded prisons and prevent the justice system from being overwhelmed.

The prison population in England and Wales stood at 87,499 on Monday, up from 85,761 on June 29, according to Ministry of Justice data.

The Ministry of Justice said released offenders would be subject to what it described as the “toughest supervision in British history”.

The early-release programme has faced criticism from police and victims’ representatives, who have raised concerns about public safety and the potential impact on crime.