Found: Further changes have also been implemented through the Sentencing Act 2026, which came into effect on

Found: to the Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Act 2020 and Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act

Found: Further changes have also been implemented through the Sentencing Act 2026, which came into effect on

Found: Alongside this, reforms through the Sentencing Act are expected to reduce the prison population by around

Found: Alongside this, reforms through the Sentencing Act are expected to reduce the prison population by around

Found: in March 2026, as well as the changes proposed to the courts and sentencing frameworks by the Sentencing Act

Found: Sentencing Act 2026 37.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks to public safety arising from the early release of prisoners, including registered sex offenders, under the current early release scheme.

Answered by Lord Lemos - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

This Government inherited prisons days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Without the changes this Government made, courts would have had to halt trials and the police cancel arrests, undermining public safety.

Whilst measures like the SDS40 change provided the intended medium-term relief to the system, this was only ever a temporary change as a bridge to a more sustainable solution. That is why the Sentencing Act has been passed, to deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited.

Following a review, the Prime Minister and Lord Chanceller have decided that rape and certain child sex offences will be excluded from the progression model and these sentences will retain their current release points. This is in addition to the 18,000 offenders who are already ineligible for earlier release under the model given they have either been found by a court to be the most dangerous or are serving a life sentence.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks to public safety arising from the early release of prisoners, including registered sex offenders, under the current early release scheme.

Answered by Lord Lemos - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

This Government inherited prisons days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Without the changes this Government made, courts would have had to halt trials and the police cancel arrests, undermining public safety.

Whilst measures like the SDS40 change provided the intended medium-term relief to the system, this was only ever a temporary change as a bridge to a more sustainable solution. That is why the Sentencing Act has been passed, to deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited.

Following a review, the Prime Minister and Lord Chanceller have decided that rape and certain child sex offences will be excluded from the progression model and these sentences will retain their current release points. This is in addition to the 18,000 offenders who are already ineligible for earlier release under the model given they have either been found by a court to be the most dangerous or are serving a life sentence.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of custodial sentences under 12 months.

Answered by Lord Lemos - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The evidence shows that those given a community order or suspended sentence reoffend less than similar offenders given a short prison sentence. Short prison sentences can exacerbate issues with employment, housing, and maintaining family ties, without allowing sufficient time to provide effective rehabilitative services.

In line with this evidence, and recommendations made by the Independent Sentencing Review, the Sentencing Act 2026 introduced a presumption for the courts to suspend sentences of immediate custody, of 12 months or less. The courts will always have the power to send offenders to prison where they have breached a court order, an individual is at significant risk of physical or psychological harm, or in exceptional circumstances.

Limiting the use of short sentences will help offenders to break the cycle of re-offending, reduce crime and lead to fewer victims and safer communities.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what engagement his department has undertaken with survivors of sexual violence, during the formulation of the early release scheme as part of the Sentencing Act 2026.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

First, I would like to express my sincere sympathy with all victims of these appalling crimes. This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Alongside our record prison building programme, our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will help prevent the catastrophic consequences of prisons running out of space. Without intervention, police could be forced to halt arrests, placing unacceptable pressures on the criminal justice system. Keeping prison capacity available for arrests, prosecutions and imprisonment is essential to protecting the public and the progression model which will help ensure there are always enough places for the courts to be able to send offenders to custody. The worst thing for victims would be running out of prison space and not being able to lock up dangerous offenders.

The progression model amends release points for offenders on Standard Determinate Sentences. Over 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences like Extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences will be unaffected by these reforms and will be kept in prison for as long as they are now. Once released, offenders will be managed under strict licence conditions in the community. Offenders released on licence can be recalled if they breach their conditions or if they cannot be safely managed in the community.

The Government recognises the devastating impact of sexual offending on victims and survivors. Ministers regularly engage with victims and the victims’ sector to inform relevant areas of policy. During the development of the reforms in the Sentencing Act 2026, Ministers and policy officials met with victims’ stakeholders through a range of individual meetings, roundtables and sector-wide engagement groups. We remain committed to continuing to engage with the victim sector to monitor the impact of these changes.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what consideration has been made to exempt sexual offenders from eligibility for early release.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

First, I would like to express my sincere sympathy with all victims of these appalling crimes. This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Alongside our record prison building programme, our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will help prevent the catastrophic consequences of prisons running out of space. Without intervention, police could be forced to halt arrests, placing unacceptable pressures on the criminal justice system. Keeping prison capacity available for arrests, prosecutions and imprisonment is essential to protecting the public and the progression model which will help ensure there are always enough places for the courts to be able to send offenders to custody. The worst thing for victims would be running out of prison space and not being able to lock up dangerous offenders.

The progression model amends release points for offenders on Standard Determinate Sentences. Over 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences like Extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences will be unaffected by these reforms and will be kept in prison for as long as they are now. Once released, offenders will be managed under strict licence conditions in the community. Offenders released on licence can be recalled if they breach their conditions or if they cannot be safely managed in the community.

The Government recognises the devastating impact of sexual offending on victims and survivors. Ministers regularly engage with victims and the victims’ sector to inform relevant areas of policy. During the development of the reforms in the Sentencing Act 2026, Ministers and policy officials met with victims’ stakeholders through a range of individual meetings, roundtables and sector-wide engagement groups. We remain committed to continuing to engage with the victim sector to monitor the impact of these changes.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to ensure people convicted of sexual offences are excluded from early release provisions.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

First, I would like to express my sincere sympathy with all victims of these appalling crimes. This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, including through the progression model which will help ensure there are always enough places for the courts to be able to send people to custody in order to keep the public safe. The worst thing for victims would be running out of prison space and not being able to lock up dangerous offenders.

The progression model amends release points for offenders on Standard Determinate Sentences.

Over 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences like Extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences will be unaffected by these reforms and will be kept in prison for as long as they are now. Once released, offenders will be managed under strict licence conditions in the community. Offenders released on licence can be recalled if they breach their conditions or if they cannot be safely managed in the community.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on victims and survivors of permitting the early release of offenders convicted of child rape and other serious sexual offences against children.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

First, I would like to express my sincere sympathy with all victims of these appalling crimes. Last month, we announced £100 million to crack down on child sexual abuse, and we have made grooming a statutory aggravating factor to ensure sentences reflect the severity of harm. This sits alongside a full statutory inquiry to get to the truth and deliver justice for grooming gang victims.

This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, including through the progression model which will help ensure there are always enough places for the courts to be able to send people to custody in order to keep the public safe. The worst thing for victims would be running out of prison space and not being able to lock up dangerous offenders.

The progression model amends release points for offenders on Standard Determinate Sentences. Over 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences like Extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences will be unaffected by these reforms and will be kept in prison for as long as they are now.

Victims of serious sexual or violent offences where an offender receives a custodial sentence of 12 months or more are eligible for the Victim Contact Scheme (VCS). Victims who are eligible and opted into the VCS will continue to be able to make representations as to conditions they would like to see in the offender’s licence, such as exclusion zones and no-contact conditions.

Once released, offenders will be managed under strict licence conditions in the community. Offenders released on licence can be recalled if they breach their conditions or if they cannot be safely managed in the community.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he has taken to limit the number of prison escapees and mistaken releases.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Government is taking action to reduce both releases in error and the risk of prisoners escaping from custody.

Following the independent review led by Dame Lynne Owens on release in error, published on 15 April 2026, all 33 recommendations were accepted in principle. Work is underway to address the issues identified in the review, including improvements to governance, data, processes, accountability, staff guidance and training. This includes introduction of strengthened pre-release checks across prisons, including clearer assurance by authorising governors. The department has also established stronger governance to maintain momentum on the review through a Release Accuracy Board and operational delivery is supported by a specialist headquarters team to offer direct help to prisons, provide guidance and help mitigate the risk of early or late release.

The Government has also committed to simplifying release policy through the Sentencing Act 2026 and is investing in new technology to reduce human error, digitise paper-based prison systems, strengthen manual checks across courts and improve information sharing and tracking of offenders from arrest to release. This includes work to develop Justice ID and a digital rapid response unit focused on options to improve digital systems.

To limit the risk of escapes, HMPPS requires all prisons to maintain a Local Security Strategy, based on local risk assessment, which sets out the security measures in place. These include searching procedures for prisoners, vehicles and cells, accommodation fabric checks to identify vulnerabilities, and use of the Escape List for prisoners assessed as presenting an escape risk.

In February 2026, HMPPS also introduced enhanced management assurance for prisoners escorted from prison to hospital, including additional restraint requirements where needed, strengthened checks on restraint procedures and refreshed competency training for operational staff involved in escort duties.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate his Department has made of the number of prisoners serving standard determinate sentences for (a) domestic abuse-related offences, (b) sexual offences and (c) child sexual offences who are eligible for the Government’s early release scheme in accordance with the Sentencing Act 2026.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

First, I would like to express my sincere sympathy with all victims of these appalling crimes. This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, including through the progression model which will help ensure there are always enough places for the courts to be able to send people to custody in order to keep the public safe. The worst thing for victims would be running out of prison space and not being able to lock up dangerous offenders.

The progression model amends release points for offenders on Standard Determinate Sentences. Over 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences like extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences will be unaffected by these reforms and will be kept in prison for as long as they are now.

Public protection and victims’ interests were central considerations throughout the development of the Sentencing Act 2026 reforms. That is why, once released, offenders will be managed under strict licence conditions in the community.

All offenders will remain on licence until the end of their sentence, and where an offender breaches their licence conditions, probation has a full suite of options available, including recall to custody. We are also introducing restriction zones for the most serious sexual and violent offenders where appropriate, enforced through electronic monitoring. The Government is investing up to £700 million in probation and community services by 2028/29, including recruiting at least 1,300 additional trainee probation officers and expanding tagging capabilities, to ensure the Probation Service has the capacity and tools it needs to manage offenders safely in the community.

Victims who are eligible for and have opted into the Victim Contact Scheme will continue to be notified of an offender’s release and may make representations regarding licence conditions, including exclusion zones and non-contact conditions.

It is not possible to estimate sufficiently accurately the number of future releases because of the uncertainty of the volume of eligible offenders who will be sentenced to prison in the near future nor can we estimate any added days for bad behaviour committed which will determine their release point. The Ministry of Justice routinely publishes Accredited Official Statistics on prisoner releases as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ) publication.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the potential risk to victims of (a) domestic abuse-related offences, (b) sexual offences and (c) child sexual offences arising from the reduction of automatic release points for standard determinate sentences.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

First, I would like to express my sincere sympathy with all victims of these appalling crimes. This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, including through the progression model which will help ensure there are always enough places for the courts to be able to send people to custody in order to keep the public safe. The worst thing for victims would be running out of prison space and not being able to lock up dangerous offenders.

The progression model amends release points for offenders on Standard Determinate Sentences. Over 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences like extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences will be unaffected by these reforms and will be kept in prison for as long as they are now.

Public protection and victims’ interests were central considerations throughout the development of the Sentencing Act 2026 reforms. That is why, once released, offenders will be managed under strict licence conditions in the community.

All offenders will remain on licence until the end of their sentence, and where an offender breaches their licence conditions, probation has a full suite of options available, including recall to custody. We are also introducing restriction zones for the most serious sexual and violent offenders where appropriate, enforced through electronic monitoring. The Government is investing up to £700 million in probation and community services by 2028/29, including recruiting at least 1,300 additional trainee probation officers and expanding tagging capabilities, to ensure the Probation Service has the capacity and tools it needs to manage offenders safely in the community.

Victims who are eligible for and have opted into the Victim Contact Scheme will continue to be notified of an offender’s release and may make representations regarding licence conditions, including exclusion zones and non-contact conditions.

It is not possible to estimate sufficiently accurately the number of future releases because of the uncertainty of the volume of eligible offenders who will be sentenced to prison in the near future nor can we estimate any added days for bad behaviour committed which will determine their release point. The Ministry of Justice routinely publishes Accredited Official Statistics on prisoner releases as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ) publication.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many victims have the Ministry of Justice identified as being affected by the legislative changes of the Sentencing Act 2026 regarding the early release of prisoners, and how many victims have been contacted advising them of this.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

This Government inherited a prison system on the brink of collapse, and we are fixing this crisis. Through the introduction of the landmark Sentencing Act 2026, we are ensuring that courts retain the ability to impose custodial sentences on serious and dangerous offenders. Without these measures, the Prison Estate would have faced the risk of exhausting available capacity and police forces being unable to make arrests.

The Sentencing Act 2026 contains provisions will which change the proportion of a standard determinate sentence which must be served in prison before the offender serving such a sentence is released automatically on licence. More than 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences are excluded from these changes and will stay in prison for as long as they do now.

The provisions will come into force on 2 September 2026 and may affect the scheduled release dates of those currently serving a standard determinate sentence. Eligible victims who have opted into the Probation Service Victim Contact Scheme, where the offender is serving a standard determinate sentence, have been informed of the commencement of the legislation. As of 1 July 2026, 8,203 victims had been contacted and informed of the legislative changes. This figure should not be interpreted as the number of offenders affected, as not all offenders will necessarily receive an earlier release date. Additionally, not all victims choose to participate in the Victim Contact Scheme, and some offenders have multiple victims.

Sentences are now being recalculated, and, at this stage, we cannot provide figures on the number of offenders whose release dates will change and, therefore, the number of victims impacted. This will continue to evolve whilst the calculations take place. Victim Liaison Officers will write to victims again to confirm whether the offender’s release date has changed as a result of the new arrangements

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many eligible victims who have opted into the Probation Service Victim Contact Scheme have not been contacted to advise them that their perpetrator may be released from prison early.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

This Government inherited a prison system on the brink of collapse, and we are fixing this crisis. Through the introduction of the landmark Sentencing Act 2026, we are ensuring that courts retain the ability to impose custodial sentences on serious and dangerous offenders. Without these measures, the Prison Estate would have faced the risk of exhausting available capacity and police forces being unable to make arrests.

The Sentencing Act 2026 contains provisions will which change the proportion of a standard determinate sentence which must be served in prison before the offender serving such a sentence is released automatically on licence. More than 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences are excluded from these changes and will stay in prison for as long as they do now.

The provisions will come into force on 2 September 2026 and may affect the scheduled release dates of those currently serving a standard determinate sentence. Eligible victims who have opted into the Probation Service Victim Contact Scheme, where the offender is serving a standard determinate sentence, have been informed of the commencement of the legislation. As of 1 July 2026, 8,203 victims had been contacted and informed of the legislative changes. This figure should not be interpreted as the number of offenders affected, as not all offenders will necessarily receive an earlier release date. Additionally, not all victims choose to participate in the Victim Contact Scheme, and some offenders have multiple victims.

Sentences are now being recalculated, and, at this stage, we cannot provide figures on the number of offenders whose release dates will change and, therefore, the number of victims impacted. This will continue to evolve whilst the calculations take place. Victim Liaison Officers will write to victims again to confirm whether the offender’s release date has changed as a result of the new arrangements

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many criminals convicted of offences related to child grooming are expected to be released at 50% of their custodial sentence in 2026.

Answered by Baroness Levitt

I would like to express my sympathy for all victims of these appalling crimes. This Government inherited a prisons system which was days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action in order to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, through measures which include the progression model which will help ensure that there are always enough places for the courts to be able to send people to custody in order to keep the public safe. The worst thing for victims would be to run out of prison space and not be able to lock up dangerous offenders.

The progression model amends release points for offenders on Standard Determinate Sentences.

More than 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences like Extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences will be unaffected by these reforms and will be kept in prison for the same length of time as they are at present. Once released, offenders will be managed in the community under strict licence conditions. Offenders released on licence can be recalled if they breach their conditions or if they cannot be safely managed in the community.

It is not possible to know future release data precisely so far in advance, including because eligible offenders might be sentenced to additional time in prison between now and implementation, nor can we estimate any added days for bad behaviour which will also determine their release point.

The Ministry of Justice routinely publishes Accredited Official Statistics on prisoner releases as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ) publication.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many criminals convicted of sexual assault are expected to be released at 50% or 33% of their custodial sentence in 2026.

Answered by Baroness Levitt

I would like to express my sympathy for all victims of these appalling crimes. This Government inherited a prisons system which was days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action in order to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, through measures which include the progression model which will help ensure that there are always enough places for the courts to be able to send people to custody in order to keep the public safe. The worst thing for victims would be to run out of prison space and not be able to lock up dangerous offenders.

The progression model amends release points for offenders on Standard Determinate Sentences.

More than 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences like Extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences will be unaffected by these reforms and will be kept in prison for the same length of time as they are at present. Once released, offenders will be managed in the community under strict licence conditions. Offenders released on licence can be recalled if they breach their conditions or if they cannot be safely managed in the community.

It is not possible to know future release data precisely so far in advance, including because eligible offenders might be sentenced to additional time in prison between now and implementation, nor can we estimate any added days for bad behaviour which will also determine their release point.

The Ministry of Justice routinely publishes Accredited Official Statistics on prisoner releases as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ) publication.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many criminals convicted of rape are expected to be released at 50% of their custodial sentence in 2026.

Answered by Baroness Levitt

I would like to express my sympathy for all victims of these appalling crimes. This Government inherited a prisons system which was days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action in order to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, through measures which include the progression model which will help ensure that there are always enough places for the courts to be able to send people to custody in order to keep the public safe. The worst thing for victims would be to run out of prison space and not be able to lock up dangerous offenders.

The progression model amends release points for offenders on Standard Determinate Sentences.

More than 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences like Extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences will be unaffected by these reforms and will be kept in prison for the same length of time as they are at present. Once released, offenders will be managed in the community under strict licence conditions. Offenders released on licence can be recalled if they breach their conditions or if they cannot be safely managed in the community.

It is not possible to know future release data precisely so far in advance, including because eligible offenders might be sentenced to additional time in prison between now and implementation, nor can we estimate any added days for bad behaviour which will also determine their release point.

The Ministry of Justice routinely publishes Accredited Official Statistics on prisoner releases as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ) publication.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he will commit to publishing a clear timetable for closing the 10 year sentencing starting point gap between most domestic murders and other murders.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

On 30 June, the Deputy Prime Minister announced the Government’s intention to introduce a new 25-year sentencing starting point for domestic murders, which will apply to offenders who murder their current or former intimate partner.

This change can be implemented by secondary legislation, subject to the affirmative resolution procedure and following a statutory consultation with the Sentencing Council for England and Wales as per paragraph 19(2) of Schedule 23 to the Sentencing Act 2020. A statutory instrument will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of early release and parole policies on public safety.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The changes to early release were necessary because the Government inherited a prison system that was days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. The Sentencing Act 2026 will deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis including through the progression model which will help ensure there are always enough places for the courts to be able to send people to custody to keep the public safe.

The progression model amends the release points for offenders serving Standard Determinate Sentences only. The more serious offenders deemed dangerous by the courts and serving parole-eligible sentences including Extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences are unaffected. In all parole-eligible cases, the court prescribes a minimum period that the offender must spend in custody as punishment after which they become eligible to be considered for release on licence. They will only be released if the independent Parole Board for England and Wales is satisfied that they no longer need to be detained for the protection of the public.

Prisoners released under the progression model, and all those released by the Parole Board, are subject to strict licence conditions and are liable to be recalled to custody by the Probation Service if they breach the terms of their licence.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has prepared updated prison population projections; what modelling he has undertaken on prison occupancy under high, central and low demand scenarios; whether contingency plans exist for exceeding operational capacity; and if he will publish the latest internal modelling.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Ministry of Justice publishes annual prison population projections for England and Wales in the Prison Capacity Annual Statement. The 2025 Annual Statement is available here: Annual Statement on Prison Capacity: 2025 - GOV.UK. The next Statement is scheduled for publication this winter.

We continually monitor the prison population and use a range of planning assumptions to monitor future demand of prison places. Our published and have established contingency arrangements should acute capacity pressures arise.

The Government has taken decisive action to put the prison system on a sustainable footing, including through the largest prison expansion programme since the Victorian era, and the landmark reforms in the Sentencing Act 2026, which ensure we will never again have more prisoners than prison places.

As set out in the annual statement, when the estimated impact of the Sentencing Act measures are factored in, supply is expected to keep pace with demand for the total adult estate.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has received advice on emergency prison capacity measures; what operational thresholds would trigger additional contingency arrangements; and whether programme risk registers identify capacity as a critical risk.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Ministry of Justice publishes annual prison population projections for England and Wales in the Prison Capacity Annual Statement. The 2025 Annual Statement is available here: Annual Statement on Prison Capacity: 2025 - GOV.UK. The next Statement is scheduled for publication this winter.

We continually monitor the prison population and use a range of planning assumptions to monitor future demand of prison places. Our published and have established contingency arrangements should acute capacity pressures arise.

The Government has taken decisive action to put the prison system on a sustainable footing, including through the largest prison expansion programme since the Victorian era, and the landmark reforms in the Sentencing Act 2026, which ensure we will never again have more prisoners than prison places.

As set out in the annual statement, when the estimated impact of the Sentencing Act measures are factored in, supply is expected to keep pace with demand for the total adult estate.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of community sentences in reducing reoffending.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

Our approach is guided by evidence on what works to reduce reoffending, and we work with partners across government to support offenders in custody and the community to build skills, secure a job and stable housing, access treatment for drug and alcohol use, and develop the personal skills and behaviours that help individuals turn away from crime.

Evidence has shown that community orders and suspended sentences can be more effective at reducing reoffending than short custodial sentences. The evidence published in both 2015 and 2019, which matched groups of offenders, found that short sentences were associated with higher reoffending compared to court orders by approximately 4 percentage points. This is why, in the Sentencing Act 20206, we have introduced a presumption for courts to suspend short custodial sentences of 12-months or less unless an exemption applies or in exceptional circumstances.

In 2025, the Ministry of Justice published the Reducing Reoffending Synthesis of Evidence on Effectiveness of Interventions, providing an overview of the evidence on what works to reduce reoffending. This includes evidence on key interventions including on accommodation, substance misuse, education and employment.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes in reducing reoffending rates.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

Our approach is guided by evidence on what works to reduce reoffending, and we work with partners across government to support offenders in custody and the community to build skills, secure a job and stable housing, access treatment for drug and alcohol use, and develop the personal skills and behaviours that help individuals turn away from crime.

Evidence has shown that community orders and suspended sentences can be more effective at reducing reoffending than short custodial sentences. The evidence published in both 2015 and 2019, which matched groups of offenders, found that short sentences were associated with higher reoffending compared to court orders by approximately 4 percentage points. This is why, in the Sentencing Act 20206, we have introduced a presumption for courts to suspend short custodial sentences of 12-months or less unless an exemption applies or in exceptional circumstances.

In 2025, the Ministry of Justice published the Reducing Reoffending Synthesis of Evidence on Effectiveness of Interventions, providing an overview of the evidence on what works to reduce reoffending. This includes evidence on key interventions including on accommodation, substance misuse, education and employment.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Government's early release scheme, (a) which categories of serious offenders are eligible for release and (b) how many offenders convicted of rape and other serious violent or sexual offences have been released, or are expected to be released, under the scheme.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

First, I would like to express my sincere sympathy with all victims of these appalling crimes. This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, including through the progression model which will help ensure there are always enough places for the courts to be able to send people to custody in order to keep the public safe. The worst thing for victims would be running out of prison space and not being able to lock up dangerous offenders.

The progression model amends release points for offenders on Standard Determinate Sentences.

Over 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences like Extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences will be unaffected by these reforms and will be kept in prison for as long as they are now. Once released, offenders will be managed under strict licence conditions in the community. Offenders released on licence can be recalled if they breach their conditions or if they cannot be safely managed in the community.

It is not possible to know future release data precisely so far in advance, including because eligible offenders might be sentenced to additional time in prison between now and implementation, nor can we estimate any added days for bad behaviour committed which will determine their release point.

The Ministry of Justice routinely publishes Accredited Official Statistics on prisoner releases as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ) publication.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many victims to date have been sent letters advising them their perpetrator may be released from prison early as a result of the Sentencing Act 2026, and how many victims his Department expects to contact as part of this process.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

This Government inherited a prison system on the brink of collapse, and we are fixing this crisis. Through the introduction of the landmark Sentencing Act, we are ensuring that courts retain the ability to impose custodial sentences on serious and dangerous offenders. Without these measures, the prison estate would have faced the risk of exhausting available capacity.

The progression model introduced by the Sentencing Act will come into force on 2 September 2026. The revised release arrangements apply to sentence types rather than to specific offences or individual cases. More than 18,000 of the most serious and dangerous offenders are excluded from these changes and will continue to serve custodial terms in line with existing arrangements.

Eligible victims who have opted into the Probation Service Victim Contact Scheme, where the offender is serving a standard determinate sentence, are being informed of the commencement of the legislation. Victim Liaison Officers will write to victims again to confirm whether the offender’s release date has changed as a result of the new arrangements.

As of 9 July 2026, 8,711 victims had been contacted and informed of the general legislative changes. This figure should not be interpreted as the number of offenders affected, as not all offenders will necessarily receive an earlier release date. Additionally, not all victims choose to participate in the Victim Contact Scheme, and some offenders have multiple victims.

Sentences are currently being recalculated, and, at this stage, we cannot provide figures on the number of offenders whose release dates will change and, therefore, the number of victims affected as a result of change. This will continue to evolve whilst the calculations take place.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that victims of Ian Paterson are formally notified of, and given the opportunity to make representations regarding, any decisions relating to his early release or change of custodial category.

Answered by Lord Timpson

By law, the Victim Contact Scheme (VCS) is available to the victims of offenders convicted of specified violent, sexual or terrorism offences who are sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment or more. Victims who choose to participate in the Scheme are allocated a Victim Liaison Officer (VLO), who keeps them informed of key developments in the offender's sentence, including relevant prison categorisation reviews and release arrangements.

Where a prisoner is being considered for transfer to open conditions, prisons must establish whether there are any victims are engaged with the VCS and, if there are, inform their VLO. The VLO in turn notifies the victims, so that the victims have the opportunity to provide information about the potential risks of moving the prisoner to an open prison. The victims may also make representations about licence conditions, such as exclusion zones and non-contact requirements, in the event that the prisoner is subsequently approved for release on temporary licence.

The VCS provides the same statutory entitlements to all participating victims, regardless of the nature of the qualifying offence. Where an offender's release is considered by the Parole Board, victims may submit a Victim Personal Statement and apply to observe any oral hearing held by the Parole Board. Where an offender is released automatically at a statutory release point, without Parole Board involvement, victims cannot make representations to the Parole Board, because it plays no role in the release decision. In such cases, victims may still make representations regarding licence conditions.

The Sentencing Act 2026 contains provisions which will change the proportion of a standard determinate sentence which must be served in prison before the offender serving such a sentence is released automatically on licence. Those provisions will come into force on 2 September 2026 and may affect the scheduled release dates of those currently serving a standard determinate sentence. VLOs are notifying participating victims, including victims of Ian Paterson, where there is a conviction relating to them, they are eligible for the Victim Contact Scheme and have chosen to receive the services provided under the Scheme. Further updates will be provided to confirm whether release dates have changed as a result of the new arrangements.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether victims of serious medical malpractice resulting in convictions for wounding with intent have the same statutory rights to make representations to the Parole Board as victims of violent crime; and if not, whether they have any plans to extend such rights to these victims.

Answered by Lord Timpson

By law, the Victim Contact Scheme (VCS) is available to the victims of offenders convicted of specified violent, sexual or terrorism offences who are sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment or more. Victims who choose to participate in the Scheme are allocated a Victim Liaison Officer (VLO), who keeps them informed of key developments in the offender's sentence, including relevant prison categorisation reviews and release arrangements.

Where a prisoner is being considered for transfer to open conditions, prisons must establish whether there are any victims are engaged with the VCS and, if there are, inform their VLO. The VLO in turn notifies the victims, so that the victims have the opportunity to provide information about the potential risks of moving the prisoner to an open prison. The victims may also make representations about licence conditions, such as exclusion zones and non-contact requirements, in the event that the prisoner is subsequently approved for release on temporary licence.

The VCS provides the same statutory entitlements to all participating victims, regardless of the nature of the qualifying offence. Where an offender's release is considered by the Parole Board, victims may submit a Victim Personal Statement and apply to observe any oral hearing held by the Parole Board. Where an offender is released automatically at a statutory release point, without Parole Board involvement, victims cannot make representations to the Parole Board, because it plays no role in the release decision. In such cases, victims may still make representations regarding licence conditions.

The Sentencing Act 2026 contains provisions which will change the proportion of a standard determinate sentence which must be served in prison before the offender serving such a sentence is released automatically on licence. Those provisions will come into force on 2 September 2026 and may affect the scheduled release dates of those currently serving a standard determinate sentence. VLOs are notifying participating victims, including victims of Ian Paterson, where there is a conviction relating to them, they are eligible for the Victim Contact Scheme and have chosen to receive the services provided under the Scheme. Further updates will be provided to confirm whether release dates have changed as a result of the new arrangements.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many victims of the rapists and child groomers released early under the scheme were notified in advance through the Victim Contact Scheme in the constituency of Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

This Government inherited a prison system on the brink of collapse, and we are fixing this crisis. Through the introduction of the landmark Sentencing Act 2026, we are ensuring that courts retain the ability to impose custodial sentences on serious and dangerous offenders. Without these measures, the Prison Estate would have faced the risk of exhausting available capacity and police forces being unable to make arrests.

The Sentencing Act 2026 contains provisions will which change the proportion of a standard determinate sentence which must be served in prison before the offender serving such a sentence is released automatically on licence. More than 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences are excluded from these changes and will stay in prison for as long as they do now.

The provisions will come into force on 2 September 2026 and may affect the scheduled release dates of those currently serving a standard determinate sentence. Eligible victims who have opted into the Probation Service Victim Contact Scheme, where the offender is serving a standard determinate sentence, have been informed of the commencement of the legislation.

Sentences are now being recalculated, and, at this stage, we cannot provide figures on the number of offenders whose release dates will change and, therefore, the number of victims impacted. This will continue to evolve whilst the calculations take place. Victim Liaison Officers will write to victims again to confirm whether the offender’s release date has changed as a result of the new arrangements.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners who will be made eligible for release halfway through their sentences were convicted of (1) rape and (2) sex offences.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

I extend my sincere sympathy to all victims of these appalling crimes. This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, including through the progression model which will help ensure there are always enough places for the courts to be able to send people to custody in order to keep the public safe. The worst thing for victims would be running out of prison space and not being able to lock up dangerous offenders.

The progression model amends release points for offenders on standard determinate sentences.

As a result of the new release points, some offenders currently in prison will be eligible for earlier release. To ensure the release of these prisoners is done as safely as possible, prisoners will be released in ten monthly tranches, running from 2 September 2026 to June 2027. Offenders serving more serious sentences like Extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences will be unaffected by these reforms and will remain in prison for as long as they do now.

It is not possible to know future release data precisely so far in advance, because eligible offenders might be sentenced to prison between now and the commencement date for tranche 1 of the progression model on 2 September 2026. Nor do we know any added days for bad behaviour committed between now and the final tranche in June 2027.

The Ministry of Justice routinely publishes Accredited Official Statistics on prisoner releases as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ) publication.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of people convicted of (a) rape and (b) sexual offences involving children that will be released under the early release scheme in the next five years in Stone, Great Wyrley & Penkridge constituency.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

I extend my sincere sympathy to all victims of these appalling crimes. This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, including through the progression model which will help ensure there are always enough places for the courts to be able to send people to custody in order to keep the public safe. The worst thing for victims would be running out of prison space and not being able to lock up dangerous offenders.

The progression model amends release points for offenders on Standard Determinate Sentences.

Over 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences like extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences will be unaffected by these reforms and will be kept in prison for as long as they are now. Once released, offenders will be managed under strict licence conditions in the community. Offenders released on licence can be recalled if they breach their conditions or if they cannot be safely managed in the community.

It is not possible to estimate sufficiently accurately the number of future releases so far in advance because of the uncertainty of the volume of eligible offenders who will be sentenced to prison in the next 5 years, nor can we estimate any added days for bad behaviour committed which will determine their release point.

The Ministry of Justice routinely publishes Accredited Official Statistics on prisoner releases as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ) publication.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 are excluded from eligibility for the early release scheme.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

I extend my sincere sympathy to all victims of these appalling crimes. This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, including through the progression model which will help ensure there are always enough places for the courts to be able to send people to custody in order to keep the public safe. The worst thing for victims would be running out of prison space and not being able to lock up dangerous offenders.

The progression model amends release points for offenders on Standard Determinate Sentences.

Over 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences like extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences will be unaffected by these reforms and will be kept in prison for as long as they are now. Once released, offenders will be managed under strict licence conditions in the community. Offenders released on licence can be recalled if they breach their conditions or if they cannot be safely managed in the community.

It is not possible to estimate sufficiently accurately the number of future releases so far in advance because of the uncertainty of the volume of eligible offenders who will be sentenced to prison in the next 5 years, nor can we estimate any added days for bad behaviour committed which will determine their release point.

The Ministry of Justice routinely publishes Accredited Official Statistics on prisoner releases as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ) publication.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make it his Department’s policy to build more prisons.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

As set out in the December 2024 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, we are committed to delivering an additional 14,000 prison places across England and Wales and have already delivered around 3,200 places since July 2024. We remain on track to meet this commitment by 2031. In stark contrast, the previous government built only 500 additional net places over 14 years.

Our expansion programme includes the construction of four new prisons, including HMP Millsike which opened in spring 2025, alongside the expansion and refurbishment of the existing estate. We have committed a further investment of £4.7bn over the current spending review period (2026/27 to 2029/30) to support the delivery of these places, including breaking ground at the new HMP Welland Oaks site in Leicestershire in November 2025. We are building two further new prisons next to the existing HMP Garth in Lancashire and HMP Grendon in Buckinghamshire, and we are committed to undertaking critical maintenance work across the prison estate.

We continue to explore options so the prison estate can move from crisis management to a more resilient and rehabilitative system. This will ensure the estate can meet future demand and improve conditions. Alongside our build programme, we have brought forward the Sentencing Act to place prison capacity on a sustainable footing and avoids the pressure seen in recent years.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent steps he has taken to expand the capacity of English prisons.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

As set out in the December 2024 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, we are committed to delivering an additional 14,000 prison places across England and Wales and have already delivered around 3,200 places since July 2024. We remain on track to meet this commitment by 2031. In stark contrast, the previous government built only 500 additional net places over 14 years.

Our expansion programme includes the construction of four new prisons, including HMP Millsike which opened in spring 2025, alongside the expansion and refurbishment of the existing estate. We have committed a further investment of £4.7bn over the current spending review period (2026/27 to 2029/30) to support the delivery of these places, including breaking ground at the new HMP Welland Oaks site in Leicestershire in November 2025. We are building two further new prisons next to the existing HMP Garth in Lancashire and HMP Grendon in Buckinghamshire, and we are committed to undertaking critical maintenance work across the prison estate.

We continue to explore options so the prison estate can move from crisis management to a more resilient and rehabilitative system. This will ensure the estate can meet future demand and improve conditions. Alongside our build programme, we have brought forward the Sentencing Act to place prison capacity on a sustainable footing and avoids the pressure seen in recent years.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether offenders servicing sentences for sexual abuse against children are eligible for the Early Release Scheme.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

This Government inherited a prisons system days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Our landmark Sentencing Act 2026 will now deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited, including through the progression model which will help ensure there are always enough places for the courts to be able to send people to custody in order to keep the public safe.

The changes to release only apply to offenders serving Standard Determinate Sentences. Over 18,000 offenders serving more serious sentences like extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences will be unaffected by these reforms and will continue to be released under their existing arrangements.

Once released, offenders will be managed under strict licence conditions in the community. Offenders released on licence can be recalled if they breach their conditions or if they cannot be safely managed in the community.

Found: Subsection (8A) was inserted by section 27(3)(b) of the Sentencing Act 2026 (c. 2). (2)S.I. 2015/337.

Found: 2008 (c. 4), section 26(6) and 32(1); Subsection (8A) was inserted by section 27(3)(b) of the Sentencing Act

Found: Act 2024(2); (b)the following rules, which come into force at the same time as section 6 of the Sentencing Act

We call on the Government to immediately amend the Sentencing Act 2026 to ensure that individuals convicted of serious sexual offences serve their full custodial sentences as originally determined by the courts, with no reduction to a 50% release mark.

Found: We call on the Government to immediately amend the Sentencing Act 2026 to ensure that individuals convicted

Found: MoJ now aims to ensure that the EM system can meet additional demand from the Sentencing Act 2026.

Found: MoJ now aims to ensure that the EM system can meet additional demand from the Sentencing Act 2026.

Found: This expansion would be part of the Sentencing Act 2026, which aims to ease prison pressures by managing

Found: For more information about standard scales, see: section 122 of the Sentencing Act 2020 for England

Found: For more information about standard scales, see: section 122 of the Sentencing Act 2020 for England

Found: For more information about standard scales, see: section 122 of the Sentencing Act 2020 for England

Found: For more information about standard scales, see: section 122 of the Sentencing Act 2020 for England

Found: For more information about standard scales, see: section 122 of the Sentencing Act 2020 for England

Found: Government is introducing changes to prison release arrangements for some offenders through the Sentencing Act

Found: Sentencing Act offence exclusions

Found: Sentencing Act offence exclusions

Found: 12 months (or, in relation to offences committed before paragraph 24(2) of Schedule 22 to the Sentencing Act

Found: 12 months (or, in relation to offences committed before paragraph 24(2) of Schedule 22 to the Sentencing Act

Found: 12 months (or, in relation to offences committed before paragraph 24(2) of Schedule 22 to the Sentencing Act

Found: **Key Updates and Changes (reflecting the Sentencing Act 2026):** 1.

Found: supervision. 01 June 2026 The Framework has been updated to reflect legislative changes in the Sentencing Act

Found: which he is released from detention ordered under section 104 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act

Found: Person Stalking and Harassment 8L Harassment Breach of a restraining order issued on conviction Sentencing Act

Found: The Sentencing Act 2026 will enable earlier deportation of eligible FNOs in prison. * A foreign national

Found: The Sentencing Act 2026 will enable earlier deportation of eligible FNOs in prison. * A foreign national

Found: detention) in s.288(3)(ea) of AFA06, with the correct power - paragraph 13 of Schedule 16 to the Sentencing Act

Found: updates 31/03/2026 - updated to reflect the following legislative changes introduced by the Sentencing Act

Found: updates 31/03/2026 - updated to reflect the following legislative changes introduced by the Sentencing Act

Found: Parenting Order, the Court will specify a responsible officer in line with section 372(5) of the Sentencing Act

Found: Parenting Order, the Court will specify a responsible officer in line with section 372(5) of the Sentencing Act

Found: offender been a minor subject to life licence under s90-92 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act

Found: Attempt to breach a restraining order after conviction SE20 Sentencing Act 2020 SE20005 Breach sexual

Found: 2020 PH97505 Application to discharge restraining order on acquittal as amended by the Sentencing Act

Found: of that Act) • youth detention accommodation in England as defined by section 248(1) of the Sentencing Act

Found: By section 60 of the Sentencing Act 2020 the Court’s duty in all cases includes imposing upon the defendant

Found: sentence convicted of serious further offences (SFOs) 17 Additional published statistics 18 Sentencing Act

Found: Ministers are also delaying wider releases from prison under the Sentencing Act from September to October

Found: Ministers are also delaying wider releases from prison under the Sentencing Act from September to October

Found: estate, and providing opportunity for rehabilitation whilst implementing the provisions of the Sentencing Act

Found: Clinks CEO, Dr Summer Alston-Smith, said: The Sentencing Act was a welcome first step in addressing

Found: date of the sentence or order class A drug trafficking offence) Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act

Found: Discretionary life sentences include: •Life sentence for serious offences in Schedule 19 to the Sentencing Act

Found: Minimum custodial sentences The Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 introduced minimum

Found: Criminal Justice Act 2003, Offender Rehabilitation Act (ORA) 2014, and Sentencing Act 2026 court orders

Found: These include: ■ Monitoring the implementation and impact of the Sentencing Act.

Found: 1998 • Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 • Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act

Found: some regions of England and Wales, alongside challenges presented by the implementation of the Sentencing Act

Found: consistent with the criminality provisions in relation to the sentence based reforms in the Sentencing Act

Found: consistent with the criminality provisions in relation to the sentence based reforms in the Sentencing Act

Found: HMPPS Directorate of Prison Operations Completed Capacity is being increased and the Sentencing Act

Found: Section 74 Sentencing Act 2020 This measure replaced section 73 SOCPA.

Found: Section 74 Sentencing Act 2020 This measure replaced section 73 SOCPA.

Found: Ministers are also delaying wider releases from prison under the Sentencing Act from September to October

Found: Ministers are also delaying wider releases from prison under the Sentencing Act from September to October

Found: estate, and providing opportunity for rehabilitation whilst implementing the provisions of the Sentencing Act

Found: care worker Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, s.20 3.4 Breach of a restraining order Sentencing Act

Found: date of the sentence or order class A drug trafficking offence) Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act

Found: Jul 2026 Legislation Section Nature of Order Method of Funding Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act

Found: Crown Court: Representation Order Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 Part 1A of Schedule

Found: supervision. 01 June 2026 The Framework has been updated to reflect legislative changes in the Sentencing Act

Found: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or other prosecution agency confirming pseudonym is for a SOCPA/Sentencing Act

Found: care worker Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, s.20 3.4 Breach of a restraining order Sentencing Act

Found: discharge an order made under S155 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act

Found: care worker Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, s.20 3.4 Breach of a restraining order Sentencing Act

Found: updates 31/03/2026 - updated to reflect the following legislative changes introduced by the Sentencing Act

Found: updates 31/03/2026 - updated to reflect the following legislative changes introduced by the Sentencing Act

Found: Criminal Justice Act 2003, Offender Rehabilitation Act (ORA) 2014, and Sentencing Act 2026 court orders

Found: In 2025-26, our priorities included the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, the Sentencing Act

Found: We now have the opportunity, through implementation of the Sentencing Act, the Our Future Probation

Found: Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 • Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 • Sentencing Act

Found: During 2025/26, the Parole Board focused on implementing the provisions in the Sentencing Act, Victims

Found: The Sentencing Act 2020 introduced changes to some sentences.

Found: The Sentencing Act 2020 introduced changes to some sentences.

Found: sentence convicted of serious further offences (SFOs) 17 Additional published statistics 18 Sentencing Act

Found: HMPPS Directorate of Prison Operations Completed Capacity is being increased and the Sentencing Act

Found: • Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 • Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act

Found: 1998 • Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 • Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act

Found: Textual Amendments F6 Words in s. 34(2)(b)(i) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17),

Found: Do not include children detained under Sections 90 to 92 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act

Found: and Security Act 2015 • Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 • Sentencing Act