More than 350 prisoners have been released early in Shropshire because of overcrowding, it was revealed today.Ludlow MP Philip Dunne said the latest Government figures showed 154 criminals had been let out early from Shrewsbury prison, with a further 199 released early from Stoke Heath Young Offenders’ Institution.

The MP said they were among 1,223 early releases across the West Midlands.

This was because there was not enough space in prisons to house them, he added.

Ministry of Justice spokeswoman Joanna Jacobson said: “Of those released, we have been notified that about four per cent have been recalled.

“All prisoners released early would have to have been released anyway in a maximum of 18 days’ time. Prisoners serving a sentence for a serious violent offence are excluded.”

The figures were made public as the Tories unveiled new proposals for prisoners to work to compensate their victims.

Criminals serving community sentences in Shropshire would also have to wear high-visibility overalls.

Mr Dunne today welcomed a series of proposals to restore confidence in the criminal justice system, reform prisons and cut re-offending.

“Prison overcrowding also means less attention is paid to reforming, educating and rehabilitating prisoners,” he said.

Mr Dunne said under the new Conservative plans, courts would set a minimum and maximum custody period.

Prisoners would no longer have an automatic early release and would have to serve a guaranteed minimum sentence.

Those prisoners who prove the most unwilling to engage in rehabilitation programmes or stay off drugs would remain in custody the longest.

Mr Dunne said: “Being sent to prison means someone has committed a serious offence.

“Yet Labour is giving criminals a break, by letting them loose on Shropshire’s streets. Serious crimes should be punished by a prison sentence, to protect the public and deter would-be criminals.”