Shabana Mahmood says review of sentencing is central to solving problems in jails
Crews transporting offenders left without security in subcontractor outage that also hit DHL
Growing number punished for breaking conditions of release, undermining efforts to ease overcrowding
Major review of sentencing announced as 1,100 inmates are freed in latest phase of early release scheme
Crucial improvements at 48 sites to tackle issues such as drug use and overcrowding now in doubt
Early interventions will help divert women away from criminal justice system, says Shabana Mahmood
Imprisonment is not obviously a good solution to drug addiction or for those who have been coerced into crime
Government ministers reject calls to repeal legislation despite union warning the decision would be seen as a betrayal
‘Decisive action’ needed to improve safety and cut reoffending says chief inspector of prisons as early release scheme begins
Sentence is one of the longest in connection with far-right violence over the summer
Forty years of sentence inflation has left prisons ‘unfit for purpose’, say former Lord Chief Justices
Business hits out at Prison Service for revoking deal as UK government stresses need to cut reoffending rates
Also in this newsletter: Lack of university alternatives handicaps young Brits
Bike repair scheme is one of several that aims to help the one in four working-age adults with a criminal record
Operation Early Dawn activated following violent unrest across country in recent weeks
UK officials considered Rikers Island prison barge to ease capacity crisis before early release of inmates
Surge of inmates similar to 2011 risks destabilising prison system, says PGA official
Facilities ranked as ‘serious concern’ increased from nine to 15 in year to March, MoJ data shows
A new focus on rehabilitation may be scuppered by public concern
Previous programmes saw inmates who were not ‘adequately prepared’ straight back behind bars, says chief inspector
From packed prisons to closed police stations and courts, law and order is in retreat
Labour to shorten automatic release point for some prisoners from 50% to 40% of sentence
Data released ahead of Labour announcement on freeing more prisoners to ease overcrowding
Immediate steps need to be combined with long-term reform and investment
Key ministers in agreement with prime minister’s new penal approach, but putting it into practice carries big risks
