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% …

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 …

Government response. 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.

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 …

Government response. 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, …

Ministry of Justice

Oral evidence sessions

8 sessions

Date	Witnesses
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 ↗

Correspondence

2 letters

Date	Direction	Title
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…