Nacro comments on Part 1 of the Independent Sentencing Review, set up by the Government’s Ministry of Justice and chaired by David Gauke, focussing on the history and trends of sentencing. CEO Campbell Robb suggests the report “offers long-overdue recognition that the agenda to be “tough on crime” adopted by successive Governments has ultimately propelled the prison overcrowding crisis”.
Campbell Robb, Nacro, Chief Executive comments on the start of the Government’s early release scheme, known as SDS40: “The Government needed to take action in the short-term to tackle the prisons crisis but inevitably this is going to cause problems elsewhere in a broken system.”
Over recent weeks, we have heard much talk about how prison overcrowding has brought our criminal justice system to crisis point.
Nacro looks forward to working with whichever party forms the next government to help ensure everyone has the chance to succeed and the support they need to fulfil their potential. Find out more.
Nacro’s Head of Policy and Service User Engagement, Andrea Coady, highlights the five key take-aways from the Sentencing Review’s report ‘History and Trends in Sentencing’ (published 18th February 2025). The report outlines the current prison population overcrowding crisis and the drivers of this.
“The recent Chief Inspector of Prisons report on HMP Wandsworth is a damning indictment of the state of our prisons’ amidst the overcrowding crisis. The report highlights alarming failings throughout HMP Wandsworth; from dangerous levels of overcrowding, to soaring rates of violence and squalid conditions reminiscent of a Victorian workhouse.
This week’s report from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons is a damning indictment of a prison system on its knees. This is a system that is failing in its most basic duty, to keep people safe from harm. Efforts to rehabilitate and prepare prison-leavers for release have been struggling under the weight of decades of under-investment, overcrowding and poor long-term planning.
Homelessness after prison is a real challenge for those looking to rebuild their lives. We provide help and support for those with a criminal record, but also champion the much needed reforms to our criminal justice system. Find out more.
Today (31.07.2025), MoJ have released annual data on the justice system. Nacro comments on data about homelessness after prison, the state of prisons, the prisons ratings and employment in prisons.
Almost two months into being Prime Minister, Andy Burnham has been setting out key priorities that have the potential to shape outcomes for people who Nacro supports across our education, housing, and justice services.
