A path to justice and rehabilitation
Last autumn, the UK Government launched a comprehensive review of sentencing practices, led by former Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary David Gauke, to address concerns about sentencing effectiveness.
Open for public evidence from November 2024 to January 2025, the review focuses on punishment, public safety, reducing reoffending and expanding non-custodial options. The LGA contributed to this initiative.
England and Wales face a growing prison population, reaching 87,900 in 2024, with annual costs per prisoner soaring to £51,724.
Despite a £4 billion investment for 20,000 new prison places, delays and rising costs have led to warnings of a 12,400-place shortage by 2027.
Overcrowding has driven reliance on temporary early-release schemes, with more than 3,000 individuals released in 2024 under modified conditions. While easing strain, these measures fail to address systemic challenges.
Reoffending remains a significant issue. In 2022, the reoffending rate was 33.9 per cent for adults released from custody, rising to 56.6 per cent for sentences of less than 12 months.
Evidence suggests community-based sentences could reduce reoffending by four percentage points.
Employment and education are critical to breaking the cycle, as steady employment reduces reoffending by 9 per cent.
Programmes such as the Prisoners’ Education Trust also enhance job prospects and cut reoffending rates.
However, barriers persist. Many prisoners lack basic literacy skills, with their educational progress disrupted because of frequent transfers between facilities.
In 2024, 13 per cent of prison leavers faced homelessness, doubling their likelihood of reoffending.
Stable housing is essential for reintegration, as is addressing addictions and mental health issues.
Comprehensive assessment, treatment and support are necessary to tackle underlying causes of offending and enhance rehabilitation.
The Labour election manifesto emphasised reducing reoffending through rehabilitation and victim-focused justice.
The LGA advocates for expanding community-based sentences as cost-effective alternatives to incarceration, emphasising a role for community safety partnerships in coordinating (but not managing) programmes such as community payback.
However, councils require sufficient funding and resources to succeed.
Employment and housing initiatives are critical to reintegration. Businesses such as Greggs demonstrate the benefits of employing ex-offenders, while councils could be incentivised to provide training and jobs.
Tailored education programmes addressing prisoners’ needs and ensuring continuity across facilities are vital, with up to 50 per cent of prisoners in 2022 lacking the literacy skills to engage with educational initiatives.
The review excludes ‘imprisonment for public protection’ sentences, but the LGA has raised concerns about their harmful long-term impact, calling for reform.
The review presents an opportunity for innovative solutions to reduce reoffending and enhance public safety.
Rehabilitation-focused sentencing, addressing systemic barriers such as homelessness, and fostering partnerships among government, councils and businesses are essential.
Sentences should balance punishment with equipping offenders to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society. By expanding non-custodial options, addressing education and housing challenges, and integrating healthcare with justice initiatives, the Government can enhance rehabilitation, reduce reoffending and ensure justice serves both individuals and the community.
- The Independent Sentencing Review’s now closed call for evidence is available online. Find out more about the LGA’s community safety work.