In response to prison overcrowding, an official report has recommended that Britain implement a policy allowing inmates to earn early release through good behavior, drawing on examples from the United States, particularly Texas.
The independent review, released on Thursday, advocates for a new system permitting most inmates to serve only one-third of their sentences in prison. The report was commissioned by the Labour government and led by David Gauke, a former Conservative justice secretary.
Forecasts from the Ministry of Justice indicate that more than 100,000 prison places will be required in England and Wales by March 2029, while current operational capacity remains below 85,000. The review highlights that over 16,000 prisoners were released early last year as part of an emergency measure to alleviate overcrowding.
Gauke's findings suggest that existing plans to construct more prisons are inadequate to meet the growing demand. He noted that a previous political narrative from the Conservative government focused on being “tough on crime,” which led to increased sentence lengths and time served.
There is an urgent call for change, as current demand for prison cells is nearing capacity limits, necessitating emergency measures. The government is not anticipated to adopt all recommendations, particularly those that might reduce sentences for serious offenders. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to present the government's initial response to the review in Parliament.
The review is likely to face criticism from Conservative members and the right-wing Reform Party. Robert Jenrick, the Conservative justice spokesman, described the recommendations as a potential “gift to criminals.”
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, over 42 U.S. states have systems that allow for early release based on good behavior or participation in rehabilitation programs. Gauke's research included a visit to Texas, where he examined the “good conduct time” program that incentivizes inmates to behave well and engage in rehabilitative activities.
His report proposed an “earned progression” model for the British system, suggesting that most prisoners would be released at the one-third mark of their sentences with subsequent supervision. Additionally, it called for alternatives such as electronic monitoring for lower-level offenses and limited prison terms for minor offenses.
Gauke emphasized the critical nature of the situation, stating that overcrowded prisons lead to dangerous conditions and high reoffending rates. He asserted that simply building more facilities is not a viable solution, urging the government to take decisive action to stabilize the prison system.
His proposals aim to reduce the prison population in England and Wales by approximately 9,800 individuals, surpassing the Ministry of Justice's target of 9,500.