Amber Rudd's independent review of prisons rightly addresses drugs, violence, overcrowding, and deteriorating conditions. However, it must not lose sight of strengthening rehabilitation and reducing reoffending.
Education as a key tool
Education is one of the most effective tools. A recent Ministry of Justice analysis of over 4,500 prison learners found that those who studied with The Open University were 22% less likely to reoffend within a year of release and committed 37% fewer offences. This means fewer victims, safer communities, and lower costs.
Yet overcrowding, staff shortages, and long periods locked in cells hinder learning. Access to digital materials is limited, and student finance restrictions prevent many from starting higher education until within six years of release.
Prof Ian Pickup, pro-vice-chancellor at The Open University, said: "The review should put rehabilitation through education at its heart. This means protecting time for education, expanding secure digital access, widening access for remand prisoners, removing unnecessary finance restrictions, and ensuring learners can continue studies after release."
IPP sentence scandal
Henry Rossi highlighted that David Lammy, now deputy prime minister and justice secretary, wrote in 2021 that failing to abolish IPP sentences retrospectively was "a grave injustice." Yet Lammy's current policies neglect this unresolved scandal. More than a decade after IPP sentences were abolished, thousands remain subject to a sentence deemed "irredeemably flawed" by the Commons justice committee and "the greatest single stain on our criminal justice system" by former supreme court justice Lord Brown.
"A prison review worthy of the name cannot ignore this glaring injustice," Rossi said. "If ministers believe IPP sentences are unjust, they should consider a resentencing exercise."
Earlier release benefits
Andrew RC McLellan, former HM chief inspector of prisons for Scotland, added a fourth reason for earlier release: it eases overcrowding, which damages safety, rehabilitation efforts, morale, and the public purse. He urged the government to accept Frances Crook's offer to help find radical change.
Lessons from history
Dr Rod Earle, associate fellow at The Open University, warned that building more prisons is inadequate. He cited Julius Tandler from 1930s Red Vienna: "He who builds children's palaces tears down prison walls." Earle stressed that focusing on social investments is key to reducing prison populations.
