Decades of 'Tough on Crime' Policies Blamed for UK Prison Overcrowding Crisis

An independent review led by David Gauke highlights inconsistent sentencing reforms and underinvestment as key drivers of the justice system's collapse.

The Independent Sentencing Review, chaired by former justice secretary David Gauke, identifies decades of punitive sentencing policies as the root cause of severe prison overcrowding in England and Wales.
The prison population has doubled since 1993 despite a decline in overall crime rates, driven by longer sentences and reduced use of non-custodial punishments.
The report criticizes successive governments for prioritizing harsher sentencing over effective rehabilitation and crime prevention strategies.
Emergency measures in 2024, including early prisoner releases, were implemented to address capacity issues as prisons exceeded 99% occupancy.
Recommendations for reform, expected later this year, will likely focus on alternatives to incarceration, probation service improvements, and revising sentencing guidelines.