12/06/2025
Chris English
Have a browse below through our weekly overview of news from the criminal justice sector.
New Funding from Spending Review
After a recent government spending review there will be an extra £7 billion to construct new prisons by 2031. This will hopefully support the prison system in the increasingly worrisome overcrowding problems and double the amount of capacity the justice system has for incarcerated individuals.
This same review has allocated up to £700 million per year to support the probation service facilitate and be in charge of early-release cases.
Overcrowding remains critical
A recent report from the House of Commons has highlighted the ongoing prison capacity problems, stating that the male prison estate is operating at 99% capacity.
It also states that emergency measures that have been put in place such as temporary units and early prisoner release have been ineffective in preventing overcrowding.
Documentary highlights issues in the female Justice system
A recent documentary “Holloway” has highlighted how many women in the prison system have been failed on a systemic level and delves into the difficulties women in the justice system have faced.
The writers Sophie Compton and Daisy-May Hudson state: “This is about a group of women returning to Holloway, and finding they are not the same people they were when they were in prison.”
Prison Reform Trust reports on digital access in Prisons
The Prison Reform Trust has recently published a report on how digital tools can positively impact prison life.
It mentioned that innovations such as in-cell phones, video calls and self-service kiosks have had a positive impact on prison life and can help prepare prisoners for life after release.