JUSTICE Responds to Call For Evidence: Independent Review of the Prison System in England and Wales

In August 2026, JUSTICE submitted its response to the Ministry of Justice call for evidence as part of the Independent Review of the Prison System in England and Wales.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor commissioned the review as an opportunity to take a "long-term view" of the prison system over the next five to 15 years.

It came during a period of heightened focus on the prison capacity crisis, with the government facing scrutiny of its approach to reducing overcrowding via the Sentencing Act.

JUSTICE's response draws on the findings and recommendation of previous reports, including in Time Better Spent: Improving Administrative Decision - Making in Prisons (2024), A Parole System Fit for Purpose (2022), The Probation Service: A Fresh Start (2020), and our responses to the Independent Sentencing Review.

We highlighted three main opportunities to address the risks facing the prison system and improve outcomes over the next five to 15 years:

• Opportunity one: Manage demand, primarily by reforming recall and expanding funding and confidence in community alternatives to custody.

• Opportunity two: Make reducing future harm the purpose of custody, with guaranteed and equitable access to activity, treatment, education, work and release preparation.

• Opportunity three: Invest in a stable, skilled workforce and relationship-based sentence management, supported by proportionate technology that reduces administrative burdens.

Read the submission in full here.