Select Committee · Justice Committee

Rehabilitation and resettlement: ending the cycle of reoffending

Status: Open Opened: 26 Nov 2024 21 recommendations 26 conclusions 1 report

The Justice Committee has launched its inquiry into Resettlement and Rehabilitation, which is centred around investigating the cycle of reoffending. HM Prison and Probation Service aims to reduce reoffending by rehabilitating the people in its care through education and employment. However, reoffending in England and Wales remains high. For the year ending December 2023, 78% … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
7th Report – Ending the cycle of reoffending – part one: re… HC 469 14 Nov 2025 47 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

2 items
18 Conclusion 7th Report – Ending the cycle of reoffe… Acknowledged

Inconsistent and insufficient purposeful activity across the prison estate hinders rehabilitation.

We agree wholeheartedly with Lord Timpson that there is too much inconsistency across the prison estate. Purposeful activity is integral to supporting rehabilitation. It is therefore disappointing that it continues to be deprioritised by HMPPS amidst other pressures. We are sympathetic to the current constraints the Government is facing regarding … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government commits to considering and assessing the effectiveness of introducing a statutory minimum for time out of room for children in legislation, while noting existing efforts and monitoring within the Youth Custody Service.
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Ministry of Justice
42 Conclusion 7th Report – Ending the cycle of reoffe… Acknowledged

Access to vital prison library services increasingly constrained, risking loss of provision

Prison libraries play a vital role in supporting rehabilitation by providing an alternative educational space for prisoners that fosters literacy and reading. However, access to these services is increasingly constrained by issues across the estate, and an unsustainable commissioning model. 87 Without recognition and action from the Government, prisons risk … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges that increased costs mean reductions in core education delivery hours (20-25% by October 2025) are necessary, but is implementing a revised funding formula, new education contracts, and digital systems to protect quality and evaluate future delivery plans, without directly committing to preventing …
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Ministry of Justice

Oral evidence sessions

9 sessions
Date Witnesses
16 Jun 2026 Jim Barton · HM Prisons and Probation Service, Matt Grey · HM Prison and Probation Service, The Lord Timpson OBE DL · Ministry of Justice View ↗
19 May 2026 Antony King · Capita, Claire Hubberstey · One Small Thing View ↗
24 Mar 2026 Chris Edwards · HM Prison and Probation Service, Linda Neimantas · HM Prison and Probation Service, Martin Jones CBE · HM Inspectorate of Probation, Nicola Davies · HM Prison and Probation Service View ↗
27 Jan 2026 Alex Clarke · Working Chance, David Apparicio MBE · Chrysalis Foundation, Ms Penelope Gibbs · Transform Justice, Paula Harriott · Unlock, Rosie Brown · COOK View ↗
9 Dec 2025 Dr Thomas Kerridge · Crisis, Gary Teper · The Housing Network, Mr Andrew Bridges · National Approved Premises Association, Peter Airey · Nacro View ↗
10 Jun 2025 Dr Russell Green · Practice Plus Group, Dr Will Haydock · Collective Voice, Kate Davies · Ofcom, Mike Trace · The Forward Trust View ↗
13 May 2025 Adrian Usher · Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO), Charlie Taylor · HM Inspectorate of Prisons, Elisabeth Davies · Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) View ↗
11 Mar 2025 Annick Platt · Novus, Dr Jo Grady · University and College Union, Jon Collins · Prisoners' Education Trust, Lee Owston · Ofsted, Michala Robertson · Open University, Victoria Barnett · Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals View ↗
4 Feb 2025 Anne Fox · Clinks, Helen Berresford · Nacro, Jess Mullen · Alliance for Youth Justice, Nicola Drinkwater · Women in Prison, Pia Sinha · Prison Reform Trust View ↗

Who gave evidence

36 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Adrian Usher · Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) 1
Alex Clarke · Policy Officer Working Chance 1
Anne Fox · Chief Executive Officer Clinks 1
Annick Platt · National Operations Director Novus 1
Antony King · Managing Director and Client Partner of Capita He… Capita 1
Charlie Taylor · Chief Inspector of Prisons HM Inspectorate of Prisons 1
Chris Edwards · Regional Probation Director for Greater Manchester HM Prison and Probation Service 1
Claire Hubberstey · Chief Executive One Small Thing 1
David Apparicio MBE · Chief Executive Chrysalis Foundation 1
Dr Jo Grady · General Secretary University and College Union 1
Dr Russell Green · Medical Director for Health in Justice Practice Plus Group 1
Dr Thomas Kerridge · Policy Manager Crisis 1
Dr Will Haydock · Executive Director of Policy & External Affairs Collective Voice 1
Elisabeth Davies · National Chair Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) 1
Gary Teper · Managing Director The Housing Network 1
Helen Berresford · Director of External Engagement Nacro 1
Jess Mullen · Chief Executive Officer Alliance for Youth Justice 1
Jim Barton · Executive Director, Capacity Implementation HM Prisons and Probation Service 1
Jon Collins · Chief Executive Prisoners' Education Trust 1
Kate Davies · Public Policy Director Ofcom 1
Lee Owston · National Director for Education Ofsted 1
Linda Neimantas · Regional Probation Director for Kent, Surrey and … HM Prison and Probation Service 1
Martin Jones CBE · HM Chief Inspector HM Inspectorate of Probation 1
Matt Grey · Executive Director for Rehabilitation HM Prison and Probation Service 1
Michala Robertson · Assistant Director, Student Additional Support Open University 1
Mike Trace · CEO The Forward Trust 1
Mr Andrew Bridges · Strategic Director National Approved Premises Association 1
Ms Penelope Gibbs · Director Transform Justice 1
Nicola Davies · Regional Probation Director for Wales HM Prison and Probation Service 1
Nicola Drinkwater · Director of External Affairs and Campaigns Women in Prison 1
Paula Harriott · Chief Executive Unlock 1
Peter Airey · Director of Property and Community Accommodation … Nacro 1
Pia Sinha · Chief Executive Officer Prison Reform Trust 1
Rosie Brown · Chief Executive COOK 1
The Lord Timpson OBE DL · Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reof… Ministry of Justice 1
Victoria Barnett · Chair, Prison Libraries Group Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals 1

Correspondence

5 letters
DateDirectionTitle
7 Jul 2026 Correspondence from Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing …
7 Jul 2026 Correspondence from Chris Parsons, Project Director at LandWorks, dated 1 July …
30 Jun 2026 Correspondence from Antony King, Managing Director of Citizen Services at Serco…
17 Mar 2026 Correspondence from Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing …
11 Feb 2026 Correspondence to Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Re…