Prison overcrowding to chemical castrations: What new reforms have been presented for prisons in the UK?

New reforms to help aid the prison overcrowding crisis in the UK have been put forward to Parliament.

Transcript

00:00In a bold bid to tackle the UK's deepening prison overcrowding crisis, former Justice

00:04Secretary David Gauke has unveiled a sweeping set of sentencing reforms, and the government

00:10has confirmed it will accept most of his recommendations.

00:15Among the most significant proposals is a call to largely scrap prison sentences of less

00:20than a year for most offences.

00:23Gauke argues that these short sentences often fall short in providing meaningful rehabilitation,

00:28offer little deterrence, and contribute to rising prison numbers.

00:32Instead he proposes allowing judges to suspend sentences of up to three years, an increase

00:37from the current two, and expanding alternatives such as confiscation orders.

00:42The review also advocates for earlier release for well-behaved prisoners under a new system

00:48that would divide sentences into three parts – custody, post-custody, supervision, and

00:54an at-risk period.

00:55Good behaviour could shorten time behind bars, while bad conduct could extend it.

01:00Gauke's recommendations go further, calling for an expansion of a pilot chemical castration

01:05programme for some sex offenders, although he notes it should not apply to all cases.

01:10His plan also includes targeted support for women and elderly offenders, including more

01:15compassionate release options and investment in women's centres.

01:20To further reduce reliance on incarceration, Gauke champions a greater use of community

01:25orders such as curfews, fines or service, noting evidence that they help people desist

01:30from crime.

01:31However, he warns this shift will require stronger confidence in how these sentences are enforced.

01:36Stressing that recent policy has focused too heavily on punishment, the report calls for

01:42a recalibration towards victim protection and crime prevention.

01:45Gauke supports more transparency for victims, including maintaining access to judges' sentencing

01:51remarks in serious sexual offence cases.

01:54He also calls for better funding of probation services and rehabilitation charities, and recommends

02:00the creation of an independent advisory body to help future-proof the reforms.

02:04Lastly, the review highlights the potential of modern technology, from digital identity checks

02:11to AI and real-time data, to streamline the system and refocus resources on frontline work.

02:17When talking about the reforms, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales said

02:22the measures would send a clear message to domestic abusers that they can now offend with little

02:28consequence.

02:29Thank you very much.