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Independent Sentencing Review 2025-05-22
22 May 2025
Lead MP
Shabana Mahmood
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
ImmigrationCrime & Law EnforcementJustice & CourtsTaxation
Other Contributors: 54
At a Glance
Shabana Mahmood raised concerns about independent sentencing review 2025-05-22 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Lord Chancellor opened the debate by presenting the Government's response to the independent sentencing review, chaired by David Gauke. She highlighted that despite building prisons and increasing funding, demand for prison places will still outstrip supply in early 2028, necessitating changes to sentencing policies. The Government accepted the earned progression model in principle, which would allow offenders' release dates to be determined by their behaviour rather than automatic points. Additionally, she announced a reduction in short sentences and an extension of suspended sentences from two to three years. She also discussed measures for tougher community punishment, including new financial penalties and expanded use of punishments such as travel bans.
Shabana Mahmood
Lab
Coventry North East
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.
Robert Jenrick
Con
Newark
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.
Shabana Mahmood
Lab
Birmingham, Ladywood
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.
Andy Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
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.
Eastbourne
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.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
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.
Gosport
Inquired about plans to establish more residential alternatives to custody facilities across the country, referencing Hope Street in Hampshire as an example of success.
Emily Darlington
Lab
Milton Keynes Central
Asked for clarity on whether domestic abusers and rapists would benefit from early release schemes, stating that victims' safety should be prioritised.
Paul Kohler
LD
Wimbledon
Called for a commitment to give all crime victims proper access to restorative justice, questioning the effectiveness of fine words without concrete actions.
Sarah Coombes
Lab
West Bromwich
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.
Solihull West and Shirley
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.
Warinder Juss
Lab
Wolverhampton West
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.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Questioned whether the statement reinforces transparency issues in sentencing by allowing for back-of-the-envelope calculations of actual sentences.
Warrington North
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.
Sarah Olney
LD
Richmond Park
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.
Amber Valley
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.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
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.
Mike Tapp
Lab
Dover and Deal
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.
South Devon
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.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham
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.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Asks if those who have abused children will be allowed out early, given their exclusion from measures aimed at earlier release.
James Naish
Lab
Rushcliffe
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.
Calum Miller
LD
Bicester and Woodstock
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.
West Dunbartonshire
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.
John Glen
Con
Salisbury
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.
Polly Billington
Lab
East Thanet
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.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
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.
Jonathan Hinder
Lab
Pendle and Clitheroe
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.
Mark Pritchard
Con
The Wrekin
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.
Chris Webb
Lab
Blackpool South
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.
Andrew Pakes
Lab
Peterborough
Welcomes the £700 million investment to rebuild probation services. Asks about rehabilitation efforts through community punishment and securing jobs for young offenders.
Chichester
Raises concerns over current probation officer limitations and requests assurances on the timing and adequacy of the promised investment to frontline services.
Jonathan Brash
Lab
Hartlepool
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.
John Cooper
Con
Dumfries and Galloway
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.
Jo White
Lab
Bassetlaw
Welcomes the construction of a new wing at Ranby prison and proposes Crown-owned land near HMP Ranby for further prison expansion.
Blake Stephenson
Con
Mid Bedfordshire
Questions whether foreign criminals will be deported immediately after serving 30% of their sentence, suggesting the public desires immediate deportation.
Calder Valley
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.
Tessa Munt
LD
Wells and Mendip Hills
Requests clarity on the scientific basis for chemical suppressants used in managing problematic sexual arousal and asks for research conclusions to be made available.
Ben Goldsborough
Lab
South Norfolk
Supports the Lord Chancellor's measures to deport foreign national offenders more quickly, acknowledging the previous government's failure on this front.
Charlie Dewhirst
Con
Bridlington and The Wolds
Calls for immediate deportation of foreign criminals and asks how court delays in deportation will be addressed to prevent re-entry of deported offenders.
Jess Asato
Lab
Lowestoft
Acknowledges the role of voluntary organisations like Pathways Care Farm and Access Community Trust in supporting offender rehabilitation, requesting continued support from the government.
Tiverton and Minehead
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.
Shaun Davies
Lab
Telford
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.
Luke Myer
Lab
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
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.
Tristan Osborne
Lab
Chatham and Aylesford
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.
Government Response
The Lord Chancellor announced the Government's response to the independent sentencing review. She accepted the earned progression model in principle, recommended a reduction in short sentences but not abolition, extended suspended sentences from two to three years, increased funding for intensive supervision courts and probation services, and proposed measures for tougher community punishment such as new financial penalties and expanded use of travel bans. Announces plans to bring forward legislation at an early opportunity. Details that violent sexual offenders will be excluded from early release measures. Discusses the importance of prison places, rehabilitation within and outside prisons, funding for probation services, technological solutions like sobriety tags, and cross-party work on domestic abuse. Defended Labour Government's approach, announced allocation of £4.7 billion for prison building and emphasised the importance of aligning all parts of criminal justice system through the national Criminal Justice Board. Outlines Government plans for increased prison capacity, improved probation services, and measures such as chemical suppressants for sex offenders. Responds to concerns about deportation times, court delays, community safety, and rehabilitation efforts through voluntary organisations.
Shadow Response
None
Shadow Response
Defends Labour's record and criticises the Conservatives for not addressing prison overcrowding. She acknowledges that measures announced today will stabilize but not reduce the prison population over the longer term. The shadow Justice Secretary emphasised that domestic abuse victims will be protected under new measures, including excluding dangerous offenders from early release schemes and ensuring intensive supervision for other offenders to prevent reoffending. She also committed to reducing the number of women going to prison by supporting residential alternatives to custody and restorative justice where appropriate. The Labour shadow minister commits to a package of measures designed to ensure sufficient prison capacity, prioritise victim support and reduce crime. This includes toughening community punishments and working with businesses and local authorities to drive down reoffending rates.
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