Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Sentencing Review and Prison Capacity Package

22 October 2024 · Ministry of Justice

Proposed by Shabana Mahmood Lab Birmingham Ladywood

Justice & Courts

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • The government has introduced SDS40 to address the prison capacity crisis.
  • Early release schemes have been ended as part of the sentencing review.
  • A 10-year capacity strategy will be published to provide long-term solutions.

Issue summary

The statement addresses the UK's prison capacity crisis and the government's response, including a temporary sentencing change and plans for long-term solutions.

Action requested

The government has introduced SDS40, ended early release schemes, increased magistrates' court sentencing powers, committed to building new prisons and publishing a 10-year capacity strategy, commissioned an Independent Review of Sentencing chaired by David Gauke, and will make further operational changes in the probation service.

Key facts

  • The adult male prison estate was running at over 99% capacity for 18 months before September.
  • SDS40 reduces the eligible Standard Determinate Sentence release point from 50% to 40%, with exclusions for serious violent offences, sex offences, and certain domestic abuse-connected offences.
  • The previous government's End of Custody Supervised Licence scheme released over 10,000 offenders early.
  • SDS40 enabled an increase in magistrates' court sentencing powers from 6 to 12 months maximum custodial for a single triable either way offence.
  • The prison build programme will deliver 14,000 places through the construction of four new prisons and expansion/refurbishment of existing facilities.
  • A 10-year capacity strategy will be published later in the year.
  • New prison demand would require building three mega-jails a year to keep up with rising population.
  • An Independent Review of Sentencing is being chaired by David Gauke, focusing on updating sentencing frameworks and preventing future emergencies.
  • The government aims to fund at least 1,000 additional trainee probation officers by March 2025.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy