‘The Probation Service in England and Wales “has too few staff” with “too little experience and training” and leaves members of the public at risk, an official watchdog has found.’
The Guardian, 18th March 2025
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Prisoners may have to earn their freedom through “good behaviour credits” rather than be automatically released after a set period as part of an overhaul being considered by the government.’
The Guardian, 28th February 2025
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The number of ex-offenders charged with committing serious crimes while on probation has surged by a third to hit a grim new record, the latest figures show.’
The Independent, 17th December 2024
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Public safety will be at the heart of an independent review into sentencing, as the government pledges to end the crisis in our prisons.’
Ministry of Justice, 21st October 2024
Source: www.gov.uk
‘Families are warning the government will have “blood on its hands” if it turns its back on 3,000 prisoners as Labour is set to reject a review of cruel indefinite jail terms, The Independent has learned.’
The Independent, 30th September 2024
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘A damning inspection has highlighted a catalogue of failings at one of the UK’s most overcrowded jails – underscoring how the crisis behind bars “extends far beyond the prison walls and into our communities”.’
The Independent, 24th September 2024
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood has set out plans to slash the number of women going to jail and ultimately close women’s prisons amid an overcrowding crisis.’
The Independent, 24th September 2024
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Prisoners freed early to ease overcrowding in jails have not been fitted with electronic tags despite it being a condition of their release, prompting criticism from a parliamentary watchdog.’
The Guardian, 19th September 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘On Friday 16 August 2024, following the urgent judicial review proceedings and interim relief application brought by the Prisoners’ Advice Service, instructing Philip Rule KC and Mirren Gidda of No5 Barristers’ Chambers, the Secretary of State for Justice agreed to grant early release on compassionate grounds (‘ERCG’) to a prisoner dying of stage 4 cancer and whose prognosis is just 6 weeks or so expected left to live.’
No. 5 Barristers Chambers, 20th August 2024
Source: www.no5.com
‘Magistrates in England and Wales could be given powers to hand down longer custodial sentences under proposals to help reduce the backlog in crown courts and prisons.’
BBC News, 16th September 2024
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The government has defended the early release of prisoners after it emerged a former inmate allegedly sexually assaulted a woman on the same day he was freed.’
BBC News, 14th September 2024
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Up to 1,750 offenders have spent their last night in prison ahead of being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.’
BBC News, 9th September 2024
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Prisoners serving time for lesser crime following serious one will be eligible under plan to free up jail space, officials confirm.’
The Guardian, 3rd September 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The number of people released from prison into homelessness has risen 30 per cent in a year despite a major new scheme to house departing offenders, The Independent can reveal.’
The Independent, 4th August 2024
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘A string of new probation watchdog investigations have laid bare the staffing crisis blighting the service’s ability to supervise offenders in the community and keep the public safe.’
The Independent, 24th July 2024
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Ministers should consider reducing the caseload of the probation service by up to 40,000 offenders if they are to ease the overcrowding crisis in prisons, a watchdog has told the Guardian.’
The Guardian, 22nd July 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The government has announced emergency measures to deal with prison overcrowding in England and Wales.’
BBC News, 12th July 2024
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The government will announce plans on Friday to release prisoners early to stop jails becoming full, the BBC has confirmed.’
BBC News, 11th July 2024
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Police chiefs have told ministers they fear that the crisis gripping the Prison Service in England and Wales is “unsustainable” and risks public safety, the Guardian has learned.’
The Guardian, 21st May 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Some court appearances will be delayed as part of an emergency measure because of prison overcrowding.’
BBC News, 15th May 2024
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
© Inner Temple Library 2025