A record number of prisoners were released early last month under a controversial scheme to ease prison overcrowding.
Some 2,795 criminals were released up to 18 days before the half way point of their sentence in December, Ministry of Justice figures showed.
It is the highest monthly total since End of Custody Licence was introduced last June and takes the total number of inmates let out early under the programme to 47,515.
Since the scheme was introduced, nearly 10,000 violent offenders and more than 4,200 burglars have been let out early.
More than 1,500 criminals let out have been recalled to prison for breaching the terms of their release, hundreds for committing further alleged offences. One in 10 of those recalled to custody is still on the run.
Last month nearly one in five of those let out early was serving a sentence of between one and four years.
There was outrage last year when it emerged three alleged murders had been committed by early release criminals.
No timetable has been set for the end of the scheme. Official predictions of release numbers from last year showed more than 200,000 criminals could be let out early in the next seven years.
Ministers have said they will look to end ECL when prison space allows.
Murderers, other serious violent and sexual offenders as well as terrorists are not eligible for early release.
