Rioters will "meet the criteria" for early release from prison, a former prison governor has claimed.

Those who took part in the riots over the weekend have been receiving harsh sentences with one person facing up to three years behind bars.

However, despite Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying that they will receive "the full force of the law" some of the violent protesters could escape their sentences is early.

Speaking to GB news, former prison governor Vanessa Frake-Harris said: "Unfortunately, they are going to meet the criteria.

"Anybody receiving a determinant sentence of less than four years, we'll meet the criteria for the early release. There are a couple of exceptions.

"One is if any of them are charged with arson, they won't meet the criteria. And I don't believe as yet anybody has been charged with that. But, it's a bit farcical.

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"I think what we must remember is that although these prisoners will be released early, they will still be on licence and subject to conditions of that licence.

"Whether that mean that they can't go to certain places they can not to contact victims, et cetera.

"There are many conditions you can put on a licence. And if they fail to make any of those conditions on their licence, they can land themselves back in jail to finish their whole sentence and indeed be charged with any other criminal activity if warranted."

Starmer has claimed that he has a tough approach towards the violent protesters that have taken to Britain's streets over the past few weeks.

However, last month it was announced that sone inmates would be freed after serving just 40 per cent of their sentence.

This only applies to offenders serving less than four years and is due to overcrowding.

All the rioters that have been sentenced so far have received less than the four year limit.

Frake-Harris added: "If we are going to have a rule, then it has to be a rule for everybody.

"I don't think that we can suddenly say that anybody involved in the disturbances doesn't fit that criteria.

"If if they do fit that criteria, then I think we've got to,adhere to it.

"But I would expect that their licences upon release have very strict conditions on it."