Independent Sentencing Review 2025-05-22

The Lord Chancellor emphasised the need to build prisons on an historic scale due to rising prison population and sentence lengths. She proposed a three-part sentencing model, allowing offenders' release dates to be determined by their behaviour rather than automatic points. Additionally, she announced funding for more intensive supervision from probation services, increased use of tags and monitoring, and a reduction in short sentences but not abolition.

Calls on the Government to reverse their sentencing policies, advocating for longer prison terms for violent offenders. He points out cases such as Adam Gregory who received 12 months for sexual assault and Vinnie Nolan who got 12 months for breaking someone's jaw. Robert Jenrick also questions the efficacy of electronic monitoring schemes which have high breach rates.

Responds by highlighting that Labour added only 500 prison places in their last term and criticises the Conservatives for not taking responsibility for leaving prisons on the brink of collapse. She emphasises the need to stabilize the prison population through community alternatives like electronic monitoring before moving towards rehabilitation.

Welcomes the measures announced by the Government but stresses that stabilizing the prison population is only a short-term solution. He suggests the need for effective rehabilitation to reduce reoffending rates.

Commends the Government's efforts to better identify domestic abuse cases in the criminal justice system and calls for clarity on excluding domestic abusers from early release schemes. He criticises Robert Jenrick for politicizing the issue of domestic abuse.

Asked the Secretary of State to explain how domestic abuse victims will be protected under new measures and criticised the Conservative Government for a high unpunished rape case rate.

Inquired about plans to establish more residential alternatives to custody facilities across the country, referencing Hope Street in Hampshire as an example of success.

Asked for clarity on whether domestic abusers and rapists would benefit from early release schemes, stating that victims' safety should be prioritised.

Called for a commitment to give all crime victims proper access to restorative justice, questioning the effectiveness of fine words without concrete actions.

Asked about imposing lengthy restrictions and lifetime driving bans on those causing death by dangerous driving to protect victims such as Diane, whose husband was killed in a distracted-driving incident.

Inquired about steps taken to model reoffending rates with increased use of community-based orders, expressing concern over offender engagement and public confidence in these measures.

Praised the Government for taking action on prison crisis whereas last year Conservatives called a general election instead, emphasising that dangerous offenders will be locked up to prevent reoffending and reduce costs.

Questioned whether the statement reinforces transparency issues in sentencing by allowing for back-of-the-envelope calculations of actual sentences.

Proposed exploring chemical castration as an option for certain sexual offenders to prevent future offences, asking about capacity in the Probation Service to monitor compliance with treatment.

Welcomes the Government’s commitment to extending the pilot scheme for free sentencing transcripts for rape and serious sexual offences. Praises the Victims Minister, the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Alex Davies-Jones), and victims, survivors, and campaigners for their work on this issue. Requests measures to ensure that victims know about the scheme and understand their right to request a transcript of the sentencing remarks.

Announces the extension of the pilot scheme and commitment to using AI technology to make transcripts more widely available, though not quite accurate enough for court records yet. Agrees that 80% of offenders in the country are reoffenders, indicating a broken system.

Highlights the issue that 80% of offenders in the country are reoffenders, implying that the current system is not effective. Supports the new approach to reduce reoffending and cut crime.

Argues that prison's principal purpose is punishment and asks when further sentencing legislation will be brought forward, specifically excluding violent sexual offenders from early release measures.

Claims there is no place for foreign offenders who pose a serious risk to the public. Acknowledges that more progress has been made on the deportation of foreign national offenders than during the previous Conservative government.

Presents statistics showing a 6% reoffending rate among those who graduate from rehabilitation programmes in her constituency compared to the national average of 54%. Advocates for investing in rehabilitation to reduce prison population and keep people safe.

Welcomes the statement on reoffending, noting that it costs £22 billion a year and that 80% of offenders are reoffenders. Asks how to bring down this figure.

Asks if those who have abused children will be allowed out early, given their exclusion from measures aimed at earlier release.

Raises concerns about inadequate probation services in Nottinghamshire and welcomes the £700 million increase for probation services. Asks what other steps can be taken to improve probation standards.

Welcomes the Lord Chancellor’s statement on domestic abuse recommendations and sentencing, requests consideration of tagging offences retrospectively and including entire transcripts in pilot schemes.

Welcomed the Government's prison expansion programme but criticised delays and cost overruns in Scotland. Called for lessons to be learned from the SNP’s failure with the Barlinnie prison project.

Defended the Labour Government's approach to prison building, stating they have allocated £4.7 billion and are committed to avoiding planning delays that increased costs under the previous government.

Asked for assurances about prison education and rehabilitation programmes to avoid ineffective solutions. Highlighted persistent offending patterns among prisoners.

Acknowledged the value of magistrates' work and referred to a review recommending intensive supervision courts to address prolific offenders. Promised further proposals in upcoming legislation.

Criticised former Lord Chancellor's admission that previous Government did not act on prison crisis due to votes and highlighted the negative impact of lack of prison cells and alternative punishments in East Thanet communities.

Agreed with Ms Billington, emphasising the need for a functional prison system and highlighting that previous Government prioritised votes over public safety. Promised to ensure there is always room available for those who must be incarcerated.

Welcomed the review's recognition of probation officers and joined a call for direct investment in staff. Asked about rehabilitation and life chances for Welsh women in the criminal justice system.

Commited to working with colleagues across Wales to address accommodation provision for female offenders, aiming for reduced prison numbers due to measures on short sentences.

Referred to the day as a shame for the Conservative party, highlighting the interdependence of decisions in policing, courts, probation, and prisons. Asked about implications on enforcement of sentences.

Acknowledged the importance of aligning the criminal justice system through the national Criminal Justice Board to ensure impact considerations for all parts including policing.

Asked about female offending and suggested getting more mothers and babies into community settings rather than in prison, especially for non-serious offenders.

Commited to a position where fewer women go to prison on short sentences, particularly pregnant women and mothers of young children, unless there is serious and violent offending.

Asked about the deportation of foreign criminals from prisons to free up space. Wanted clarity on steps being taken for rapid deportation.

Announced a plan to drop the threshold for early removal from 50% of custodial sentence to 30%, aiming to deport those sentenced less than three years as quickly as possible.

Welcomes the £700 million investment to rebuild probation services. Asks about rehabilitation efforts through community punishment and securing jobs for young offenders.

Raises concerns over current probation officer limitations and requests assurances on the timing and adequacy of the promised investment to frontline services.

Supports the Lord Chancellor's plans, highlighting location restrictions using electronic tagging, treatment requirements for mental health issues, and work programmes as measures to support reintegration and public safety.

Critiques the Scottish approach of a presumption against short sentences and questions whether the Lord Chancellor is following this lead in England and Wales, suggesting it fails to prioritise victims' interests.

Welcomes the construction of a new wing at Ranby prison and proposes Crown-owned land near HMP Ranby for further prison expansion.

Questions whether foreign criminals will be deported immediately after serving 30% of their sentence, suggesting the public desires immediate deportation.

Acknowledges the Lord Chancellor's statement on prison reform and seeks assurances that under-reported crimes like violence against women and girls will continue to be prioritised.

Requests clarity on the scientific basis for chemical suppressants used in managing problematic sexual arousal and asks for research conclusions to be made available.

Supports the Lord Chancellor's measures to deport foreign national offenders more quickly, acknowledging the previous government's failure on this front.

Calls for immediate deportation of foreign criminals and asks how court delays in deportation will be addressed to prevent re-entry of deported offenders.

Acknowledges the role of voluntary organisations like Pathways Care Farm and Access Community Trust in supporting offender rehabilitation, requesting continued support from the government.

Highlights concerns over community safety when individuals are released into the community and requests assurances that local communities will be involved in planning new sentences.

Conservatives must offer an apology for leaving behind an absolute mess in the criminal justice system, which needs addressing to ensure that prisons are used effectively to punish offenders and prevent reoffending. We need strict prison rules and engagement with programmes aimed at turning out better citizens rather than better criminals.

There is a concerning trend where some offenders prefer the conditions in prisons to life outside, leading to a need for harsher treatment. The previous Conservative government failed in this regard over 14 years.

The review highlights that short sentences lead to high reoffending rates, with 60% of offenders reoffending within a year. The Minister must take steps to reduce crime and victimisation by ensuring sufficient prison capacity and implementing measures to prevent future breakdowns in law and order.

Community payback is effective, as confirmed by many colleagues in the criminal justice system. Rehabilitation through unpaid work benefits communities harmed by crime, making reparations and reducing reoffending rates.