The state of prisons in the UK has become increasingly controversial due to rising imprisonment rates, harsh sentencing, and the overuse of incarceration for minor offences. These issues have created significant social and economic consequences that demand urgent attention. This blog explores the facts and figures from the Bromley Briefings February 2024 report to highlight the dire situation in UK prisons and the need for comprehensive reform.
The Overuse of Custody
The UK has one of the highest imprisonment rates in Western Europe, with the prison population having risen by 70% in the last 30 years (Bromley Briefings February 2024, p. 13). Despite a decline in prosecutions since 2020 due to the pandemic, the number of people sentenced to more than 10 years in prison has almost tripled since 2008 (Bromley Briefings February 2024, p. 14). Short prison sentences are often handed down for petty and persistent crimes, even though they are less effective than community sentences at reducing reoffending. Nearly two in five prisoners are sentenced to serve six months or less, with the majority having committed non-violent offences (Bromley Briefings February 2024, p. 14).
The Social and Economic Impact
The overuse of imprisonment has significant social and economic costs. It is estimated that the annual economic and social cost of reoffending is £18.1 billion (Ministry of Justice, 2019). Despite this, community sentences, which are particularly effective for those with a large number of previous offences and mental health problems, have more than halved in use over the past decade (Hillier & Mews, 2018).
Moreover, the cost of maintaining the prison system is substantial. The average annual cost of a prison place in England and Wales is now £48,162 (Ministry of Justice, 2020). This financial burden is compounded by the need for additional prison places due to overcrowding. The government projects that the prison population will rise by more than 20,000 people from its current level in the next four years, placing further pressure on the already strained system (Ministry of Justice, 2020).
The Human Cost: Overcrowded and Underfunded
Prisons in the UK are overcrowded and underfunded, leading to poor living conditions and limited access to rehabilitation services. The number of people in prison has increased, while budget cuts have reduced the resources available for prison services. Between 2010 and 2015, the budget for Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) was reduced by around 20% (Ministry of Justice, 2020). Despite subsequent increases, the budget remains 6% lower in real terms than in 2010 (HM Prison and Probation Service, 2019).
This reduction in funding has led to significant staffing shortages. The number of frontline operational prison staff was cut by 26% between 2010 and 2017. Although there has been some recruitment, there are still 11% fewer staff than in 2010, and staff retention remains a major problem. More than one in seven officers left the service last year, with half of those leaving having been in their role for less than three years (Ministry of Justice, 2021).
The Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the crisis in UK prisons. Lockdowns and restrictions have led to prolonged confinement and reduced access to rehabilitation programmes. From mid-March 2020 until around February 2021, almost all people in prison in the UK spent 23 hours or more out of every day locked in a cell (HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, 2021). This has had a severe impact on mental health and well-being, with rates of self-harm and assaults remaining close to record levels (Bromley Briefings February 2024, p. 24).
Racial Disparities and Inequities
Racial disparities in the prison system are stark, with black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) individuals significantly overrepresented. Black men are 53%, Asian men 55%, and other ethnic groups 81% more likely to be sent to prison for an indictable offence compared to white men (Hopkins et al., 2016). The economic cost of BAME over-representation in the prison system is estimated to be £234 million a year (Kneen, 2017).
The Need for Reform
The current state of the UK prison system highlights the urgent need for reform. There is a growing consensus that more effective solutions lie in community-based interventions, better rehabilitation programmes, and addressing the root causes of crime such as poverty, lack of education, and mental health issues. Over 60% of people surveyed believe that better rehabilitation, early intervention, and improved parenting and school discipline are more effective ways to deal with crime than increasing the prison population (Crest Advisory, 2018).
Conclusion
The escalating crisis in the UK prison system underscores the need for a comprehensive overhaul. By reducing the reliance on short prison sentences for non-violent offences and investing in community-based solutions, the UK can create a more humane and effective justice system. The social and economic benefits of such reforms would be significant, leading to reduced reoffending rates, lower costs, and a more just society.
References
Bromley Briefings February 2024. Bromley Briefings Prison Factfile: February 2024. Prison Reform Trust. Available at: https://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Bromley%20Briefings/Winter-2024-factfile.pdf
Ministry of Justice (2019). The Economic and Social Costs of Reoffending. London: Ministry of Justice. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/814650/economic-social-costs-reoffending.pdf
Hillier, J. & Mews, A. (2018). Do offender characteristics affect the impact of short custodial sentences and court orders on reoffending? London: Ministry of Justice. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/706597/do-offender-characteristics-affect-the-impact-of-short-custodial-sentences-and-court-orders-on-reoffending.pdf
Ministry of Justice (2020). Costs per prison place and cost per prisoner by individual prison establishment 2019 to 2020 tables. London: Ministry of Justice. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/prison-performance-statistics-2019-2020
HM Prison and Probation Service (2019). Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20. London: HMPPS. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmpps-annual-report-and-accounts-2018-19
Ministry of Justice (2021). HM Prison and Probation Service Workforce Statistics: March 2021. London: Ministry of Justice. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hmpps-workforce-statistics-march-2021
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (2021). What Happens to Prisoners in a Pandemic?. London: HM Stationery Office. Available at: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/inspections/annual-report-2020-21/
Hopkins, K., et al. (2016). *Associations between ethnic background and being sentenced to prison in the Crown Court