Tough on crime approach “a hideously expensive policy failure” Revolving Doors responds to new Sentencing Review report
The Independent Sentencing Review has released a report identifying governments’ desire to appear ‘tough on crime’ as having driven years of sentence inflation, an overreliance on punishment and an overly complex legal system. The report highlights that ‘penal populism’ has failed to reduce reoffending and has directly caused the prisons capacity crisis and largely concurs with Revolving Doors’ submission to the Review, which can be found here.
Revolving Doors Chief Executive Pavan Dhaliwal said:
“The relentless rise in prison numbers, in part fuelled by damaging short sentences, is a hideously expensive policy failure. We welcome the Review’s recognition of the devastating consequences of successive governments’ ‘tough on crime’ rhetoric with little to no focus on causes.
Our justice system punishes poverty while failing to address the root causes of crime. People with unmet mental health needs, addictions, and histories of trauma are being warehoused in overcrowded, squalid prisons that actively undermine rehabilitation. Meanwhile, a decimated probation service struggles against chronic understaffing. It’s no surprise that nearly 57% of people given short sentences reoffend, trapped in a cycle of crisis and criminalisation rather than receiving the support they need.
The way forward is clear: we must break free from knee-jerk punishment cycles and prioritise community-based solutions. Ending short prison sentences is a vital step toward a justice system that addresses, rather than exacerbates, the social issues driving crime. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset the system—one we cannot afford to squander.”
ENDS
Notes to the editor
Revolving Doors is a national charity working to break the cycle of crisis and crime. We advocate for a system that addresses the drivers of contact with the criminal justice system, including trauma, poverty and discrimination. We bring independent research, policy expertise and lived experience together to champion long-term solutions for justice reform.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please email or call Charlotte Sellers at charlotte.sellers@revolving-doors.org.uk / on 07483 091 774. For out of hours queries, please contact CEO Pavan Dhaliwal on 07738 435 059.
