Axe short jail sentences to stop ‘unsustainable’ prison population surge, MPs demand
3 min read
Short prison sentences should be axed to stem prison overcrowding, an influential group of MPs has demanded.
A new report from the justice committee has called on ministers to push forward with plans to dump prison sentences of less than six months rather than letting them become a “long-term aspiration” for departments.
MPs believe the move would help ease chronic overcrowding of prisons which they say is being driven in part by a “crisis management” approach from the Government.
Despite a shortfall of £1.2bn in the Ministry of Justice’s budget, prison capacity has drastically outstripped demand with prisoner populations surging from 44,246 in 1993 to 82,384 in December 2018.
But in a new report, MPs slammed the “political decision” to fund measures aimed at tackling soaring levels of prison violence at the expense of the funding of rehabilitation programmes – a move which they claim is costing taxpayers £15bn a year.
Committee Chair Bob Neill said: “The Ministry of Justice and Treasury are guilty of a crisis management approach to prisons that has been failing for the past five years.
"Throwing money at the prison system to tackle multiple issues takes funding away from external rehabilitative programmes that could stem or reverse many of the problems.
“Proper investment in rehabilitation services would really work. Better access to support and opportunities for offenders would reduce repeat imprisonment, save money, and start to alleviate pressures on jobs.”
“Poor access to rehabilitation while in prison creates boredom and frustration, with a cyclical impact on the degradation of regimes and safety.”
Speaking in February, Justice Minister David Gauke said there was a “very strong case” for abolishing sentences of six months or less, but failed to set out a timetable for the move.
But MPs warned that significant changes in the prison population – including an increase in the average age, and more prisoners suffering from mental health conditions – should encourage minister to take immediate steps to develop a long-term strategy to reduce prisoner numbers.
Mr Neill added: “We need a serious open public debate about the criminal justice system, the role of prisons and its affordability.
"We are pleased that the Justice Secretary and Prisons Minister have acknowledged this but regardless of the political climate it cannot just be a long-term aspiration.
“There must be greater transparency so that everyone can understand the true costs and challenging nature of decisions which need to be made about public spending on prisons and other aspects of criminal justice.
“This should form the first step of the Justice Secretary’s ‘National conversation’. These issues cannot be hidden behind the prison gates any longer.”
Responding to the report, Prisons Minister Rory Stewart said: “I am grateful to the committee for this report, which sets out the scale and complexity of the challenges facing the prisons system.
“Our clear focus is on rehabilitating prisoners to reduce crime and keep the public safe, but this can only happen if prisons are safe and decent. That is why we are investing significantly in improving conditions and security, and developing a long-term strategy to deliver prison places and reduce violence."
He added: “I also welcome the committee’s support for our ongoing work considering options for sentencing reform. While prison will always be the only place for serious and violent offenders, there is persuasive evidence showing community sentences are often more effective in reducing reoffending than short spells behind bars.”
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