Today (12 July 2024) the Government announced emergency measures to reduce the prison population, due to the overcrowding crisis. The measures contain plans to:
- end the current early release scheme and instead will temporarily reduce the amount of you must serve before being eligible to be released, going from 50% to 40%, from September.
- recruit over 1,000 additional trainee probation officers by March 2025
- look at how prisons can be built quicker, address wider system reform and produce a 10-year capacity strategy in the Autumn.
- publish an Annual Statement on prison capacity every year.
Campbell Robb, Nacro Chief Executive, commented: “Unprecedented times require a meaningful response. Nacro welcomes the urgent action that the Government is taking to address the prison crisis. It is vital that anyone leaving prison, either early or on their release date, is given the support they need to give them the best chance at a second chance, we know this is the best way to reduce reoffending. Nacro will work with the Government to ensure people get the support they need from us on release. At Nacro every day across our services we see the impact of the overcrowded, inhumane conditions in prisons. Whilst it is critical to tackle this immediate crisis the Government must also address how we got here in the first place. We are sending too many people to prison for too long and not rehabilitating them enough while they are in there. We need an effective and sustainable justice system, which puts victims at the heart, and better serves us all.”