Howard League responds to Annual Report of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons

The Howard League for Penal Reform has responded to the Annual Report of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, published today (Wednesday 11 July).

Andrew Neilson, Director of Campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “No public service in England and Wales has deteriorated as rapidly and as profoundly in recent years as the prison system.

“This excoriating report is yet another reminder of the scale of the chaos in overcrowded and under-resourced jails that are failing everyone. The Chief Inspector’s warnings must not be allowed to fall on deaf ears, and what matters now is how the government responds.

“The prison population is falling, and ministers have rightly indicated that they want to see fewer short prison sentences being imposed. Scrapping plans to build more prisons for women is another step in the right direction.

“But the corner will not be turned unless ministers take further action to reduce demand on the system, protect staff and save lives. Building more prisons for men will only lead to more prisoners, more problems and more crime.”

Notes to editors

1. The Howard League for Penal Reform is the oldest penal reform charity in the world. It is a national charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.
2. The Annual Report of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons can be read on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website: https://hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/our-reports/

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