Reform & Rebuild

Women in English prisons are being increasingly handcuffed, restrained or subjected to “pain-inducing techniques” by staff, including while pregnant or during hospital examinations, openDemocracy can reveal: opendemocracy.net/en/handcuffs-r…

Tens of thousands of prisoners in England and Wales at risk of cell fires | About a quarter of prison places are unsafe, Ministry of Justice admits: theguardian.com/society/2026/m…

Life-sentenced prisoners now make up around 10% of the sentenced population, and this group is ageing rapidly. Almost a third of “lifers” are over 50. As a result, old, life-sentenced prisoners are the fastest-growing subgroup in the system.

The number of prison visits has dropped by more than 25% since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from the prisons inspector on the ‘untapped potential’ of family contact. In April 2019, there were 65,983 visits but by April 2024 the number dropped to 49,719 visits.

HMP Woodhill, has been placed under special measures for the second time in less than three years due to deteriorating conditions and increasing levels of violence: hellorayo.co.uk/hits-radio/uk/…

HMP Swaleside on Sheppey named ‘worst prison in country’ as damning report is published. During an unannounced inspection, Swaleside was found to be rife with drug smuggling, staff-prisoner relationships, and inmates locked up all day with nothing to do: kentonline.co.uk/sheerness/news…

New vetting guidelines ban many ex-offenders from working in prisons | New rules for the employment of ex-prisoners by the Prison Service or charities working in prisons impose an automatic ban on many jobseekers due to the nature of their convictions: insidetime.org/newsround/new-…

There were seven homicides in prisons in England and Wales in 2025, up from six in 2024, according to figures published by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in January. They showed a sharp rise from the period of 2019 to 2023, when there were between one and three each year.

Governors warn of increasing violence of ‘nothing-to-lose’ inmates attacking notorious prisoners | Longer sentences, overcrowding and inexperienced staff cited as factors in ‘rising tensions’ in prisons: theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/m…

Prisoner died in 'disconnected' environment at HMP Liverpool. The deceased's mental health was a contributing factor in his death. The events played out in an environment of disconnect, delay and poor communication of the parties involved in his care: liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool…

The system removes incentives and limits progress for people who misuse drugs, often punishing relapse. But if addiction is recognised as Substance Use Disorder, how is this effective in treating it? What real impact does this approach have on the individual and their recovery?

Trapped is a hard-hitting podcast series charting the #IPP prisoner scandal. #IPPScandal Search ’Trapped’ on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧👇 🔗 podfollow.com/1689277181 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/tra…

Man died while 'squashed’ in prison van after heart attack went untreated for 17 minutes | A prison van crew were focused on “anything except” helping a dying inmate as he lay slumped in the back of a vehicle outside a London court, an inquest has found: #Echobox=1772111805" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">mylondon.news/news/south-lon…

The UK scandal of women handcuffed while in labour | Pregnant women prisoners in England are being handcuffed to prison officers – often male – during intimate vaginal examinations and long, agonising births. Will this dehumanising treatment be stopped?: theguardian.com/society/2026/m…

Over a fifth (21%) of people currently in prison on a life sentence have already served their minimum term. In 2021, they had spent an average of nine years and two months extra in prison.

The recent court watch report by APPEAL, Joint Enterprise on Trial, looking at 17 trials at the Old Bailey, found 7,000 days (19 years) spent on remand by defendants who were subsequently either acquitted or given a non-custodial sentence: islingtontribune.co.uk/article/from-o…

IPP prisoners subjected to ‘inhuman treatment’ under ‘dystopian’ UK system, major report to UN warns: independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/…

Felicity Gerry KC Leads UN Application Concerning Treatment of IPP Prisoners | Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture highlights prolonged detention, mental health decline and systemic failings under the IPP regime: libertaschambers.com/media-hub/un-a…

"I have given them 21 years of my life, now they want my soul" | IPP prisoner jailed for stealing £20 could be deported in days: independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/…

Disjointed prison health system worsens reoffending rates, think tank finds | Poor coordination between health, justice department and service providers, with no single body in charge, continues to undermine health care for prisoners: manchester.ac.uk/about/news/dis…