Background Information

Question 1

1

Answer 1

Within the last 30 years, the prison population in the UK has nearly doubled, yet the crime rates have fallen.

This highlights the UK’s overreliance on incarceration, causing overcrowded prisons, high costs, and ineffective rehabilitation without reducing reoffending.

Question 2

2

Answer 2

Furthermore, in 2023, the average custodial sentence was 25% longer than in 2012.

This suggests a move towards tougher sentencing, likely due to growing public worries about crime.

Question 3

3

Answer 3

Moreover, people on remand increased by 84% since 2019 which accounts for 20% of the prison population. 2/3 of these are yet to be convicted.

The increase in remand prisoners highlights justice system issues, potentially overburdening resources and questioning fairness for the unconvicted.

Question 4

4

Answer 4

Additionally, the number of those recalled has gone up by 72% since 2019, 14% of prisoners.
This suggests a growing issue with managing former offenders and their return into society.

Question 5

5

Answer 5

On top of that, some of those in prison are in their cell for up to 22 hours a day, with little access to rehabilitation services.

This limits access to rehabilitation services and can negatively affect their chances of successfully rejoining society.

Question 6

6

Answer 6

Furthermore, self-harm in female prisons is 119% higher than pre pandemic, which indicates a worsening mental health crisis in these facilities.

Question 7

7

Answer 7

Lastly, spending on prisons has fallen by 4.3% to £3.7 billion in 2021-22.

This can lead to reduced resources and support for inmate rehabilitation and safety.

Question 8

Recommendation 1

Answer 8

The UK government reported spending around £976 million on probation services and over £5 billion on prisons in 2021-2022.

This shows a focus on incarceration over rehabilitation, questioning the justice system’s effectiveness in reintegration and preventing reoffending.

Question 9

Recommendation 2

Answer 9

The prison population in England and Wales hit a record high of nearly 85,000 in April 2010, marking a 90% increase since 1993.

The prison system has been overcrowded since 1994, straining resources, hindering rehabilitation, and increasing reoffending rates.

Question 10

Recommendation 3

Answer 10

The prison population in February 2024, forecast an increase in the prison population to between 94,600 and 114,800 by March 2028.

This emphasises the pressure on the prison system, with overcrowding and strained resources hindering rehabilitation and worsening systemic issues.