Hundreds of crime victims are unaware that offenders will be released early due to government measures to ease prison overcrowding, according to Victims' Commissioner Helen Newlove. The early releases begin at 8am from prisons across England and Wales, with serious violent, domestic abuse, and sexual offenses supposedly exempt. Probation services face strain as they prepare with short notice, and the prisons watchdog reports severe overcrowding, staff shortages, and increased prison violence.