Annual Members’ Meeting 2024

• Date: 5 Dec 2024

• Location: Online

It has been an extraordinary year for criminal justice in England and Wales. The prison population reached a record high, leading to the initiation of the early release scheme to address acute overcrowding. There was a general election and a change of government, resulting in the appointment of a new prisons minister – the eighth person to hold the post since the beginning of 2021.

Throughout the year, the prison system has been a constant presence in the news headlines, as more people have become aware of the deplorable conditions and daily injustices that exist within jails. Deepening problems, which were largely ignored for decades by all but the most dedicated observers, have moved to the top of the political agenda.  

Drawing on our legal and policy work, and the many letters we receive from our members in prison, our briefing for the new government, Grasping the nettle, offered a range of policy options that could deliver a lasting solution to the capacity problem. Our paper, Sentence inflation: a judicial critique, signed by five of the most senior former judges in England and Wales, explored how the imposition of ever longer sentences has contributed to the crisis and made suggestions for change that a forthcoming independent review of sentencing might consider.  

Our voice is being heard. The government has recognised that we cannot build our way out of the crisis, and two of our proposals from Grasping the nettle – the use of Home Detention Curfew as a meaningful alternative to prison and greater use of executive release – are being taken forward. A damp, dark and dilapidated segregation unit in Bedford prison, described as a “disgrace” by inspectors, was closed and replaced after our sustained pressure. Our campaign to end the scandal of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) has made progress, with legislative changes meaning that some people serving the sentence will have their licences automatically terminated at last. 
 
But this event is a chance to hear about what we intend to do next. There is much more to do. The IPP reforms, while welcome, do little to help almost 3,000 people who are still in prison serving the sentence. The number of people in prison on remand has reached a record high. Children are being held in cells for more than 22 hours per day, with reduced opportunities for education and interaction with others. Five more jails – Bedford, Wandsworth, Rochester, Manchester and Winchester – have been made the subject of urgent notifications after inspectors discovered terrible conditions.

At this event you will hear from: 

• Andrea Coomber KC (Hon.), Chief Executive.
• Andrew Neilson, Director of Campaigns. 
• Euginia Lolomari, Director of Finance and Operations.
• Gemma Abbott, Legal Director.  

This is a members-only event. Find out more about becoming a member. 

Book your place at this free event, on Thursday 5 December, 5.30pm to 6.45pm, online via Zoom meeting

Bookings through the website for this event have now closed. To book a place, please email Katie Logue.