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
6 results
Clear
27 Recommendation Accepted in Part
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Require formal report outlining prison rehabilitation's contribution to violence against women reduction target
The Government must outline how rehabilitation in the prisons, including for both convicted and remand prisoners, is going to contribute to the Government’s target of reducing of violence against women and girls by 50 per cent, with a formal report … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts, outlining various existing and expanding rehabilitation programs aimed at reducing reoffending by perpetrators of violence against women and girls (VAWG). However, it does not explicitly commit to outlining *how* these contribute to the 50% VAWG reduction target with a formal report within six months, instead referencing a progress update on purposeful activity in April 2026.
Ministry of Justice
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31 Recommendation Accepted in Part
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Set statutory minimum for time out of cell in Young Offender Institutions, with data published
As well as making every effort to meet the statutory minimum of 15 hours for education, HMPPS must set a statutory minimum for time out of cell in Young Offender Institutions. As with adult prisons, this minimum must be monitored … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts, committing to consider introducing a statutory minimum for time out of cell in legislation and assess its effectiveness, while noting the Youth Custody Service already works to an 8-hour daily expectation which is centrally monitored, though not consistently met across all sites.
Ministry of Justice
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32 Conclusion Accepted in Part
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Significant real-term cuts to prison education budgets undermine reoffending reduction efforts
We are alarmed by reports of significant real-term cuts to prison education budgets, with some prisons facing reductions of up to 50 per cent. As this report makes clear, prison education is already underfunded when compared to provision in the … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts, clarifying the national prison education budget has not been cut in cash terms but acknowledges real-term reductions in delivery hours (20-25% from October 2025) due to rising costs. It details a revised funding formula, new education contracts, and digital systems to manage the impact and ensure quality.
Ministry of Justice
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33 Recommendation Accepted in Part
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Require Government to clarify scale and rationale for planned prison education cuts and their impact
We expect the Government to urgently clarify the scale and rationale for any planned cuts to prison education budgets. It must set out how it plans to ensure that all prisons retain the funding necessary to deliver core education provision. … Read more
Government Response
The government clarifies the prison education budget has not been cut in cash terms but acknowledges a 20-25% reduction in core education delivery from October 2025 due to rising costs. They will use a revised funding formula, new contracts, and digital systems, and are developing an evaluation strategy, but do not commit to publishing an immediate impact assessment for the cuts.
Ministry of Justice
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34 Conclusion Accepted in Part
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Prison education participation rates remain low with widespread poor quality provision
It is unacceptable that 50 per cent of prisoners are not involved in prison education, training or work, despite the high level of need across the adult estate. Even for those who do access education, the quality remains poor, with … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts the concerns, affirming education's importance and outlining steps to strengthen provision. These include maximising attendance, increasing purposeful activity through "Working Week prototypes," and introducing measures like new leadership roles and neurodiversity support managers to improve education quality, working with Ofsted on a new framework for June 2026.
Ministry of Justice
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35 Recommendation Accepted in Part
7th Report – Ending the cycle of r…
Publish clear plan with funding to improve prison education participation and quality
The Government must publish a clear plan, with an associated funding allocation, to improve both participation and quality in prison education. This should include steps to address poor Ofsted outcomes, ensure that all prisoners—including those on remand—have access to meaningful … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts, stating it is taking steps to improve participation and quality in prison education, including maximizing attendance, increasing purposeful activity, and implementing new roles and digital tools for quality. However, it will provide a funding update next year, as future funding depends on allocation decisions, and does not commit to publishing a single comprehensive plan with a funding allocation immediately.
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