Rehabilitation and resettlement: ending the cycle of reoffending

Justice Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 26 Nov 2024 Parliament page
The Justice Committee has launched its inquiry into Resettlement and Rehabilitation, which is centred around investigating the cycle of reoffending. HM Prison and Probation Service aims to reduce reoffending by rehabilitating the people in its care through education and employment. However, reoffending in England and Wales remains high. For the … Read more
21 Recommendations
26 Conclusions
1 Report
8 Oral sessions
2 Letters
8 Events
Activity timeline 20 events
19 May
2026
Oral evidence
19 May
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
24 Mar
2026
Oral evidence
24 Mar
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
17 Mar
2026
Correspondence
11 Feb
2026
Correspondence
30 Jan
2026
Report published
27 Jan
2026
Oral evidence
27 Jan
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
9 Dec
2025
Oral evidence
9 Dec
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
14 Nov
2025
Report published
Oral evidence sessions 8 sessions
19 May 2026
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Antony King · Capita Claire Hubberstey · One Small Thing
24 Mar 2026
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Chris Edwards · HM Prison and Probation Service Linda Neimantas · HM Prison and Probation Service Martin Jones CBE · HM Inspectorate of Probation Nicola Davies · HM Prison and Probation Service
27 Jan 2026
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Alex Clarke · Working Chance David Apparicio MBE · Chrysalis Foundation Ms Penelope Gibbs · Transform Justice Paula Harriott · Unlock Rosie Brown · COOK
9 Dec 2025
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Dr Thomas Kerridge · Crisis Gary Teper · The Housing Network Mr Andrew Bridges · National Approved Premises Association Peter Airey · Nacro
10 Jun 2025
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Dr Russell Green · Practice Plus Group Dr Will Haydock · Collective Voice Kate Davies · Ofcom Mike Trace · The Forward Trust
13 May 2025
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Adrian Usher · Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) Charlie Taylor · HM Inspectorate of Prisons Elisabeth Davies · Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB)
11 Mar 2025
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Annick Platt · Novus Dr Jo Grady · University and College Union Jon Collins · Prisoners' Education Trust Lee Owston · Ofsted Michala Robertson · Open University Victoria Barnett · Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
4 Feb 2025
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Anne Fox · Clinks Helen Berresford · Nacro Jess Mullen · Alliance for Youth Justice Nicola Drinkwater · Women in Prison Pia Sinha · Prison Reform Trust
Title HC No. Published Items Response
7th Report – Ending the cycle of reoffending – part one: rehabil… HC 469 14 Nov 2025 47 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
15 results
Clear
3 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Prison staff recruitment and training fall significantly short compared to other public services.
We heard concerns that recruitment and training for prison staff falls significantly short when compared to other public sector services. It is not right that promotions often come without proper training for their new role. This undermines both staff confidence … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the importance of staff training and outlines ongoing work through the Enable Programme to redesign training and develop capability packages for various roles. It notes this full national rollout is not feasible within 12 months and a new Prisons Training Oversight Function, whose board is not yet established, is responsible for curriculum development.
Ministry of Justice
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10 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Public sector prison Governors operate with insufficient autonomy amidst immense operational pressures.
In the current climate of overcrowding, staffing pressures, and a crumbling prison estate, public sector prison Governors work under immense pressure to run their prisons as best as they can. It is clear that they are further constrained by the … Read more
Government Response
The government fully accepts the recommendation, committing to provide all Prison Governors with practical training and support on procurement and contract management within 12 months. This includes introducing a 'Securing Best Value' module, increasing the Inclusive Repair Threshold in new Facilities Management contracts, and providing dedicated contract management support with full training rollout planned through 2026.
Ministry of Justice
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23 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Lack of rehabilitative support for remand prisoners increases reoffending risk
Many remand prisoners are convicted but released straight from court without any rehabilitative support. This means they are more likely to reoffend. We welcome impending change as part of the Sentencing Bill; however, we are concerned this will not go … Read more
Government Response
The Youth Custody Service (YCS) is implementing 'Roadmaps to Effective Practice in Education,' aiming to reduce classroom sizes from eight to four children, introduce more vocational learning, and enhance partnerships with community education providers for continuity on release.
Ministry of Justice
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28 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Prisons used as places of safety, despite Government aims to end the practice
We were shocked and appalled to hear that prisons are used as a place of safety. We acknowledge and welcome that the Government aims to end this practice in the Mental Health Bill. We request details of how this will … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the request, detailing that the Mental Health Bill will introduce a statutory 28-day time limit for hospital transfers from prisons and stop courts from temporarily detaining individuals with severe mental illness in prison as a ‘place of safety’.
Ministry of Justice
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29 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Youth Custody Service and Young Offender Institutions fail children with excessive cell time
The Youth Custody Service, and in particular Young Offender Institutions, is clearly not working for children. Children should not be spending up to 23 hours a day in cell due to the failure of HMPPS to manage behaviour effectively. It … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the criticism, stating they have developed and implemented comprehensive, site-specific 'roadmaps to effective practice' from April 2025 to address concerns in YOIs. They commit to considering a statutory minimum for time out of room and are already working towards an 8-hour daily expectation.
Ministry of Justice
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30 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Require Government to develop action plan for improving youth estate conditions, increasing time out of cell
The Government must respond to this report with an action plan as to how it plans to manage current conditions across the youth estate. For Young Offender Institutions, this should include what impact the introduction of 85 PAVA has had … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation and has developed "roadmaps to effective practice," implemented in April 2025, to improve conditions in YOIs, focusing on safety, time out of cell, and purposeful activity. Information on PAVA's impact will be provided by September 2026.
Ministry of Justice
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36 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Lack of consistent data hinders support for neurodivergent prisoners in the system
It is unclear how the Government plans to support those with neurodivergent needs in the criminal justice system without having consistent and reliable data on how many neurodivergent prisoners there are. Furthermore, it is disappointing that those with neurodivergent needs, … Read more
Government Response
The government has committed to publishing an update to the Cross-Government Neurodiversity Action Plan, introduced a new Additional Learning Needs tool from October 2025, and rolled out Neurodiversity Support Manager roles across 124 prisons to improve support for neurodivergent individuals.
Ministry of Justice
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37 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Publish updated Neurodiversity Action Plan detailing identification and support for prisoners
The Government must publish an update to the Neurodiversity Action Plan without further delay. It should include how they plan to systematically identify how many prisoners have neurodivergent needs, as well as how it aims to support them. (Recommendation, Paragraph … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to publish an update to the Neurodiversity Action Plan imminently. It also details new measures to identify neurodivergent needs, including a new screening tool introduced in October 2025, and mentions the rollout of Neurodiversity Support Manager posts across 124 prisons to provide support.
Ministry of Justice
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40 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Young Offender Institutions routinely fail to meet minimum education hours for children
Article 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child affirms that all children have the right to education, including those in detention. Yet Young Offender Institutions are routinely failing to meet the statutory minimum of 15 … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the findings, acknowledging failings in meeting education minimums in YOIs. It is addressing these through 'Roadmaps to Effective Practice in Education' and plans to vary existing seven-year contracts to drive improvements and support a comprehensive, individualised learning journey for children.
Ministry of Justice
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41 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Prioritise education in youth custody action plan and address operational delivery barriers
The current conditions in youth custody settings are deplorable, and it is shameful that access to education for children has deteriorated as part of this wider decline. As part of an action plan for youth custody, as recommended in paragraph … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation and is addressing failings in youth custody education through "Roadmaps to Effective Practice in Education." They plan to ensure individualised, trauma-informed learning supported by comprehensive multi-disciplinary plans to overcome operational barriers.
Ministry of Justice
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43 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Prisoners are not receiving equivalent healthcare services compared to the wider population
Given the acute needs of those in prison, particularly regarding mental health, it is imperative that prisoners have access to good health and wellbeing services to assist them in properly engaging with rehabilitative programmes. However, despite the principle of equivalence, … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the principle of healthcare equivalence in prisons, committing to the National Partnership Agreement and leveraging the NHS 10 Year Health Plan. They are undertaking specific activities including data capture exercises and re-procuring integrated clinical digital systems in early 2026 to improve healthcare provision.
Ministry of Justice
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44 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Require Government to outline plans for upholding prison healthcare equivalence and integrating services
The Government must set out how it will ensure that the principle of equivalence in prison healthcare is upheld in practice. This should include a plan to address the operational barriers to healthcare delivery—such as staffing shortages, late receptions, escort … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, referencing the National Partnership Agreement and the NHS 10-Year Health Plan as key to upholding healthcare equivalence. They are addressing operational barriers through continued collaboration, data collection on service delivery, and the re-procurement of integrated clinical digital systems by early 2026.
Ministry of Justice
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45 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Publish regular, transparent data on prison healthcare access and outcomes for accountability
NHS England, or its successor, should publish regular, transparent data on healthcare access and outcomes across the prison estate. This data should be used to monitor progress against the principle of equivalence and to hold both NHS England or its … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, committing to ensuring equivalent healthcare standards and noting NHSE's re-procurement of digital systems by early 2026 to capture data on healthcare access and outcomes. NHS England will update the Committee on plans to publish new data by April 2026.
Ministry of Justice
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46 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
System failing to meet complex health and wellbeing needs of women in prison
Women in prison often have acute and complex health needs, yet the system is failing to meet even their most basic requirements. We acknowledge the Government’s ambition to reduce the population in the female prison estate, and that change is … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged that many women in prison have complex needs, outlining its ambition to reduce the female prison population and detailing existing services, a recent health review, and new Mental Health Bill reforms aimed at improving support and transfers to hospital.
Ministry of Justice
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47 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Require Government to detail actions addressing complex health needs of women in custody
The Government should respond to this report setting out what action it is taking to address the complex health and wellbeing needs of the women it currently has in its custody. (Recommendation, Paragraph 212) 88
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, setting out its ambition to reduce the female prison population and detailing actions such as existing specialized health services, recommendations from a November 2023 health review, new funding for safety projects, and reforms within the Mental Health Bill to support women with severe mental illness.
Ministry of Justice
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Government Response AI assessment · 47 of 21 classified
Accepted 15
Accepted in Part 6
Acknowledged 2
Deferred 23
Rejected 1
Total 21 recs + 26 conclusions
Correspondence 2 letters
17 Mar 2026 Correspondence from Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, dated 13 March 2026: Ending the cycle of reoffending
Parliament page
11 Feb 2026 Correspondence to Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, dated 10 February 2026: Ending the cycle of reoffending - part one: rehabilitation in prisons: Government Response
Parliament page