According to the man leading the government’s sentencing review, David Gauke, the UK should use open prisons more often to reduce overcrowding and reoffending rates. Speaking to The Times, Gauke explained that the system has now reached full capacity, and giving inmates the freedom to leave prisons during the day to study and work could provide an opportunity for change. The former Conservative justice secretary visited three prisons in Spain where open prisons are used for 25% of inmates, a policy which has reportedly saved money and has better prepared inmates for release, and thus decreased recidivism rates.
Gauke, who served under Theresa May’s Cabinet as justice secretary between 2018 and 2019, was appointed to lead an official government sentencing review, expected to consider the elimination of short sentences and increasing the strictness of community orders. This policy was originally a Labour manifesto pledge, and Lord Timpson, former chief of the Prison Reform Trust and head of a key-cutting chain that hires ex-offenders, has been appointed prisons minister.
Gauke stated that many policymakers have finally recognized that relying on longer sentences costs significantly, increases recidivism rates, and does nothing to decrease crime. Moreover, while the government has already released 5,500 prisoners early, and has announced further initiatives to provide more non-custodial sentences, overcrowding situations remain dire. The latest Ministry of Justice figures report that there are presently 85,877 incarcerated people across England and Wales, with an operational capacity of 88,688; the Ministry of Justice has promised 14,000 extra cell spaces by 2031.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood admits, however, that this number will not address the rise in demand for cells, which cannot be met by the increasing efforts to supply prison spaces. Gauke also suggests that building more prisons is not a solution, but rather a more “strategic” approach. The sentencing review will release its recommendations in spring
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
