The recently published interim report on sentencing trends confirms what we at the Oswin Project see every day – our current approach to imprisonment isn’t working. The report shows that 37.2% of people leaving prison reoffend, with this figure rising to 56.9% for those serving short sentences.
These statistics aren’t just numbers. They represent thousands of wasted lives and missed opportunities to break the cycle of reoffending. In our work supporting people with convictions into employment, we’ve seen how alternative approaches can transform lives and reduce reoffending.
We’re particularly struck by the report’s finding that community sentences have dropped dramatically – from 26% of sentences in 1996 to just 6% in 2024. Our experience shows that people who receive support and employment opportunities in their communities are far more likely to build stable, crime-free lives.
The report highlights successful approaches from other countries, including the Netherlands and the state of Texas in the USA, where investment in rehabilitation and community support has helped reduce prison populations while maintaining public safety. These examples show there is a better way.
The current prison capacity crisis gives us an opportunity to reshape our approach to sentencing. We need a system that prioritises rehabilitation and reducing reoffending through meaningful intervention and support.
At the Oswin Project, we will continue to demonstrate how training and employment opportunities can transform lives and break the cycle of reoffending evidenced by our recidivism rate of 4% (the Northeast having a re-offending rate of 67%) . We look forward to contributing our experience to the next phase of this important review.
The report can be found here:
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