The first of around 650 more offenders have started to leave jails in England and Wales on Tuesday in the third phase of the government's plan to end the prison population crisis.

The group includes offenders serving up to three years and two months for their crimes.

Under the new rules, they are leaving jail after serving no more than a third of their sentence behind bars, rather than a half.

At least 1,350 offenders have left jail early since 1 October under the first two waves of the scheme.

By the end of the year officials project that at least 2,500 will have been let out to spend two-thirds of their sentence on a licence in the community.

Tuesday's third stage continues the process of releasing batches of offenders serving increasingly long sentences - culminating next June with those serving more than 12 years.

The cohort includes people convicted of affray, which has a maximum sentence of three years, burglary and fraud.

Some violent offenders convicted of wounding, grievous bodily harm with…