The Justice Committee has announced a new inquiry focused on rehabilitation and resettlement to tackle the persistent issue of reoffending in England and Wales. Despite efforts by HM Prison and Probation Service to reduce reoffending through education and employment programmes, 78% of offenders cautioned or convicted for indictable offences in 2023 already had previous convictions.

The inquiry aims to explore the full offender journey within the justice system and identify opportunities for effective rehabilitation. This will include an evaluation of prison regimes, assessing whether they offer purposeful activities and adhere to principles of desistance. The Justice Committee will also investigate prison governance, staffing, and contracting to understand their impact on delivering rehabilitative services.

Support for ex-offenders post-release will also be scrutinised, focusing on the capacity, data sharing, and integration of services aimed at resettlement. Additionally, the inquiry will consider alternatives to custody and examine the impact of licence recall conditions and community sentencing on enhancing rehabilitation outcomes.

Specialist Advisers are being sought to assist with the inquiry, offering expert analysis on policy and operational aspects of prisons, probation, and criminal justice. Their expertise will significantly contribute to shaping recommendations that could transform how offenders are supported in breaking free from the cycle of reoffending.

Source: UK Parliament, UK Parliament- Committees