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Prison overcrowding and staff vacancies severely undermine the ability of prisons to deliver rehabilitation

Conclusion
We recognise the Government’s efforts to increase transparency around prison capacity, and its action towards ending the capacity crisis. However, the evidence we received demonstrates that the current level of overcrowding, in combination with a high number of staff vacancies, is having a profound impact on the ability of prisons to deliver rehabilitation. These failures risk undermining the very purpose of imprisonment, to reduce reoffending. (Conclusion, Paragraph 22)
Government Response

A response document is linked to this report, dated 30 January 2026. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document.

Addressee Bodies
Ministry of Justice
Timeline
Recommendation age 0.8 yr
Report published 14 Nov 2025