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.
As one man came out, a group of nine women and children rushed to meet him, hugging him just outside the steel doors before the group walked off together. Another man said he had also been freed early after serving five years for crime. Juggling four black holdalls filled with possessions, he shouted: It's corrupt. They beat people up. It's corrupt and abusive.
About 1,100 inmates were due to be freed on Tuesday as part of the government's policy to free up prison space. Daniel Dowling-Brooks, 29, celebrating with friends and family, said he served seven years for kidnap and grievous bodily harm, and planned to spend more time with his children.
A man who had earlier stepped into a waiting car, confirming he had been released early, said with a wry smile: It's not that bad. This highlights mixed emotions among the released prisoners regarding their experiences.
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