03/06/2025
Chris English
Have a browse below through our weekly overview of news from the criminal justice sector.
Tommy Robinson Released After Sentence Reduction
The founder of the English Defence League, Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, has been released from HMP Woodhill. His sentence of 18 months was reduced to 4 months. He was initially imprisoned for contempt of court.
Probation Service Under Pressure Amid Early Release Scheme
Since the introduction of the government’s new early release scheme, there has been a strain on the UK’s probation service, with a 44% rise in individuals being released onto probation between April and June 2025.
Justice Secretary Announces Mandatory Body Armour for High-Security Prison Officers
In response to recent violent incidents in prisons, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced that officers in high-security prison units will be mandated to wear body armour. This follows an incident in which a prison officer at HMP Long Lartin was attacked and required emergency surgery.
Prison Governors Reject Proposal to Arm Officers
A proposal by Shadow Secretary Robert Jenrick to arm prison officers with firearms was opposed by many. Mr Jenrick suggested that officers should be equipped with tasers, stun grenades, and, in extreme cases, firearms to combat rising violence in prisons.
This notion was dismissed by Tom Wheatley of the Prison Governors’ Association as “headline-grabbing nonsense,” noting that armed police support can be called upon if required.