Independent Sentencing Review: Interim Report

11 Mar

Question

The session on the Independent Sentencing Review interim report in the House of Commons centered on tensions between longstanding issues of prison overcrowding and evolving justice reforms. Concerns were raised regarding previous governments' inadequate responses to increasing incarceration rates, juxtaposed with plans for expansive new prison infrastructure under the current Administration. Shabana Mahmood, addressing the interim report implications, emphasized the importance of developing sustainable sentencing policies, aiming for a balance between public safety and rehabilitative approaches.

14,000 new prison places

Construction to be initiated by the current government in response to prison overcrowding.

Key topics included criticism of historical sentencing decisions resulting in overpopulation and the pressures on the current government to expand prison capacity. Debates extended beyond prison building to include discussions about the feasibility and reliability of early release programs plagued by technological implementation challenges.

500 cells

Number of additional cells built under the previous government's tenure despite increased sentencing.

A noteworthy highlight was the mention of learnings from Texas' domestic abuse legislation, suggesting an openness to integrate international best practices within British law. The spotlights on technological issues with tagging elaborate the complexity involved in maintaining public safety while evolving criminal justice strategies.

Outcome

The session resulted in commitments to address overcrowding with strategic infrastructure and policy interventions. Discussions highlighted both punitive and preventive strategies, with an openness to cross-party collaboration to reform sentencing laws.

Key Contributions

Joe Robertson

Conservative

Enquired about the potential implications of the interim sentencing review on current policies.

Shabana Mahmood

Stressed continuation of prison expansion plans and the need for new sentencing policies given previous government failures.

Mr Speaker

Invited comments from the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

Josh Babarinde

Liberal Democrats

Posed questions about adapting Texas-style domestic abuse aggravated offences within UK law.

Original Transcript

Joe Robertson

Isle of Wight East

Con

Question

UIN: 903120

13. What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the independent sentencing review’s interim report, published on 18 February 2025.

The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice

Shabana Mahmood

I will not pre-empt the final report of the sentencing review, but let us remember the crisis that we are dealing with. The previous Government ramped up sentences but added just 500 cells throughout the entire time they were in office.

Just today, we have heard examples of Members who do not want any prison building in their areas. This Government will build 14,000 new prison places, but even that will not be enough to get us out of the mess left by the previous Administration.

That is why I have asked the independent sentencing review to recommend sentencing policies that will ensure that we never again run out of space.

Joe Robertson

The Government will consider alternatives to prison and early release, but how are the public to have any confidence whatsoever when the Government released prisoners early and left them to roam the streets for eight weeks before fixing tags?

Shabana Mahmood

As I said in answer to an earlier question, we are holding Serco to account, and we ensured that the tagging backlog from the changes to SDS40—standard determinate sentences—was cleared as quickly as possible. We have levied financial penalties against that company.

We continue to monitor performance and will not hesitate to take further action if we need to.

Conservative Members have to wake up to the reality of their own track record in government: they failed to build the prison places that we needed to keep up with the sentences that they kept imposing, which has left us with an almighty mess to clear up. We are getting on with the job.

Mr Speaker

I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

Josh Babarinde

Eastbourne

The independent sentencing review and the Justice Secretary have been taking inspiration from Texas when it comes to reforming our criminal justice system. She might be aware that Texas has a dedicated set of domestic abuse aggravated offences to help protect and respect survivors.

Will she support me and Liberal Democrat colleagues in introducing proposals to the Crime and Policing Bill in order to make similar changes to the law in England and Wales?

Shabana Mahmood

I have not yet seen the hon. Gentleman’s proposals, which may be on their way, but I will look at them carefully. He will know that the picture is complex.

Even jurisdictions with a catch-all domestic abuse offence face issues ensuring that it keeps up with the type of behaviour that they are trying to stamp out, and that other offences do not fall off, so there are technical issues in how such law works in practice.

I would be happy to have further such conversations with him. I know this matter is of great interest to him and to Members across the House.

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