By John Podmore

The prison and probation system is failing on every front.

This is evident not only from the consistent findings of the Chief Inspectors of Prisons and Probation, but also from the steady stream of media investigations.

Suicides and assaults are at record levels; drugs are more accessible than basic necessities; and serious organised crime and corruption permeate the system.

Rehabilitation is almost nonexistent, and people are frequently recalled to custody soon after release—damaged by their time inside and left without adequate support in the community. The current headlines about erroneous releases are simply another symptom of a system in collapse.

In response to each crisis, the government insists it “inherited a mess,” and while that may once have been true, it has done little to repair the situation. Instead, those who have overseen the decline have been rewarded. Senior leaders across the Ministry of Justice and the prison and probation services have been promoted, including the former CEO who has now departed to head Homes England.

The Permanent Secretary who presided over years of chaos has been moved to the Home Office—apparently to resolve the turmoil........

© LBC