Oral Answers to Questions

Julian Lewis Excerpts

Tuesday 10th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Bradley Thomas (Bromsgrove) (Con)]

4. How many prisoners released under the early release scheme have since been recalled to prison.

[Sir Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con)]

6. How many prisoners released under the early release scheme have since been recalled to prison.

[David Reed (Exmouth and Exeter East) (Con)]

20. How many prisoners released under the early release scheme have since been recalled to prison.

--- Later in debate ---

[Alex Norris]

First of all, I would defend the principle that individuals who do not follow their licence conditions should be recalled to prison; that seems perfectly reasonable to me. The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight today that one in seven prisoners has been recalled. That is a sign that when our estate runs hot, we do not rehabilitate properly, and also a sign that significant licensing conditions have an impact.

[Sir Julian Lewis]

Does the Secretary of State accept that the recall figures would be even higher if it were not for the fact that, as reported in The Daily Telegraph today, it is taking the police an average of 39 days to arrest anyone who breaches his tagging conditions? Will he consider writing to us with his estimate of how many people who are released early will be recalled—during the next three months, for example?

[Alex Norris]

The right hon. Gentleman will know that, through the National Police Chiefs’ Council, we work closely with police forces to make sure that we share the right information, and have a two-way flow of information on who is leaving and what is happening when the police seek to enforce a recall. The statistics are available in the quarterly release, and they will be published in the usual cycle, when the data comes in.