Crime Rates Drop in Wales and England, but Prison Population Rises
A recent report has highlighted a concerning trend in Wales and England, where despite a decrease in crime rates, the number of individuals imprisoned has surged. The Independent Sentencing Review, published on Tuesday, revealed that over the past 25 years, incidents of crime have decreased, but the prison population has increased by 10%. This rise has been attributed to the government’s emphasis on being “tough on crime” through harsher sentencing policies.
The report underscored the challenges facing the prison system in Wales and England, describing it as being on the verge of collapse due to the growing number of inmates. The average length of custodial sentences for indictable offences has increased by 40% since the early 1990s, with the average now standing at 22.5 months compared to 16 months in 1993. Last year, in response to overcrowding, the Labour government in Westminster released thousands of prisoners early.
Former Conservative justice secretary David Gauke, who led the Independent Sentencing Review, highlighted the stark reality that Wales and England now incarcerate 139 individuals per 100,000, surpassing countries like France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The report also addressed public perceptions of sentence lengths, pointing out that while many believe sentences have decreased, they have actually increased significantly, failing to act as a deterrent against reoffending.
The review further revealed that 37.2% of individuals leaving prison in Wales and England are likely to reoffend, perpetuating a cycle of criminality that contributes to the escalating prison population. Almost six out of 10 offenders incarcerated for less than a year go on to commit further crimes. These findings have prompted calls for reforms to the criminal justice system to address the root causes of reoffending and reduce the strain on prisons.
Mr Gauke emphasised the need for comprehensive policy-making and investments in the criminal justice system, highlighting the consequences of neglect and inconsistent policies that have pushed the system to the brink of collapse. The Ministry of Justice recently announced a 10-year plan to increase prison capacity through a £10 billion prison-building scheme, aiming to deliver an additional 14,000 prison spaces by 2031.
In response to the report’s findings, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has signalled a commitment to implementing the recommendations put forth by Mr Gauke to reform the prison system. The challenges outlined in the report underscore the complex interplay between crime rates, sentencing policies, and prison capacity, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and sustainable approach to criminal justice in Wales and England.