New Penalties and Prison Reforms Announced by Ministry of Justice

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced that individuals who violate imposed bans could face imprisonment or other penalties. Furthermore, the MoJ stated that mandatory drug testing will be expanded to include more offenders, not just those with known drug addictions.

Labour's plan to eliminate sentences shorter than 12 months, except in exceptional situations, could potentially prevent as many as 40,000 convicts from being incarcerated. The MoJ's strategy to prevent prison overcrowding involves criminals serving a larger portion of their sentences within the community.

Ms. Mahmood emphasized that expanding the range of available punishments is a key component of their plan to reduce crime and enhance public safety. She stated that offenders must be held accountable for their actions, and those serving community sentences should also experience restrictions on their freedom. The new punishments are intended to send a clear message that crime will not be tolerated.

Analysis by the Labour Party revealed a decrease in the number of prisoners receiving NHS treatment for drug and alcohol addictions in the past year compared to 2015. MoJ statistics also indicated a 16% reduction in prisoners participating in opiate treatment programs under the previous government. A Labour spokesperson highlighted the destructive impact of drugs on society and emphasized the need for stricter measures. They stated that even offenders without drug problems will be subject to mandatory testing, with potential consequences including court appearances or re-imprisonment for rule violations.

Currently, judges can issue limited bans for specific offenses, such as football bans for stadium-related crimes. However, the government intends to amend the law to allow bans to be imposed as a form of punishment for any offense, regardless of the circumstances. Labour is also implementing a "progression model" for releasing prisoners, with stages including early release, house arrest, and community supervision. It is during the community supervision phase that these bans could be implemented.

Criminals sentenced to over four years in prison will be released after serving half their term, while sentences under 12 months will be abolished in most cases. Only the most serious offenders will be denied early release. These proposals, initially suggested by a former justice secretary, are expected to free up approximately 9,800 prison spaces. Labour also aims to create an additional 14,000 prison spaces by 2031, at a cost of £4.1 billion. The MoJ reported that 2,400 prison spaces have been created since July 2024. However, the proposed cap of 95,000 prison spaces, as identified in the Independent Sentencing Review, will still pose a challenge for the prison service.