The criminal justice system has faced longstanding challenges and periods of crisis since the 1990s, if not earlier. Reforms based on the Independent Sentencing Review recommendations do not effectively address the primary issue contributing to pressure on prisons and probation services—the persistently high rates of reoffending, which accounts for approximately 80% of individuals within the system.
The underlying cause remains the limited effectiveness of rehabilitation services in resolving the complex lives and circumstances of repeat offenders. Approaches focus on punitive measures rather than addressing these root causes. Historically, policy decisions have often overlooked evidence, measurable outcomes, fiscal implications, and expert advice, instead prioritising the expansion of prison facilities and tougher community-based alternatives, while attempting to reduce both the frequency and duration of custodial sentences.
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