Let more prisoners work or train, says sentencing review

Ex justice secretary recommends using AI to help prisoners with probation and education advice

Ex justice secretary recommends using AI to help prisoners with probation and education advice

Offenders in open prisons could get more opportunities to work or train on day release under proposals for prison sentencing reform.

The landmark Independent Sentencing Review, published this week, also recommended the use of artificial intelligence to help prisoners with employment, education and probation support, voluntary chemical castration for sex offenders, and an “earned progression model” that mimics US reforms.

The review, chaired by former Tory justice secretary David Gauke, included suggestions to replace more custodial sentences with punishment within the community in an attempt to shrink the prison population by around 9,800.

Gauke’s proposals would seek to reward offenders for complying with prison rules through an “earned progression” model, where they can progress from custody into the community.

Meanwhile, justice secretary Shabana Mahmood is poised to propose legislation that will “go further” than Gauke’s recommendations, including considering making chemical castration mandatory and putting offenders to work in the private sector where their salary would support victims.

The Independent Sentencing Review recommended “ increasing and tailoring” the use of open prisons where suitable, adding that eligible inmates with little time left on their sentences could spend some or most of the day on licence to carry out work, education, or other resettlement activities.

It said: “Open prisons can lead to better outcomes for offenders – there is research indicating that open prisons and temporary release schemes offered within the open estate can positively impact reoffending.”

The review recommended the “creation of a new, separate open regime” for offenders with little time left, allowing the prison estate to focus on rehabilitating convicts with longer sentences.

Meanwhile, Gauke recommended the government collaborate with the tech industry to adopt AI assistants such as Sherlock AI, to offer “low-risk” prisoners personalised rehabilitation plans, and analyse compliance data to “predict breaches”.

The tool could also help with earlier intervention by connecting inmates with education and employment services or mental health support.

While no evaluation has been made yet on Sherlock AI, the tool gives access to job listings, educational resources and vocational training programmes, its website explains.

The review was commissioned to find answers to overcrowding, including alternatives to custodial sentences, after thousands of inmates were released early last year as an emergency measure.

Gauke said: “The scale of the crisis we are in cannot be understated. Overcrowded prisons are leading to dangerous conditions for staff and contributing to high levels of reoffending. We cannot build our way out of it.”

Latest education roles from

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Minerva Learning Trust

Head of Programme 2D Studies – City Lit

Head of Programme 2D Studies – City Lit

FEA

Group Director of Governance & Company Secretary

Group Director of Governance & Company Secretary

New City College

Principal (Harrow College) – HRUC

Principal (Harrow College) – HRUC

FEA

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Helping every learner use AI responsibly

AI didn’t wait to be invited into the classroom. It burst in mid-lesson. Across UK colleges, learners are already...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Supporting the UK’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan Through Skills

The UK Government’s Decarbonising Transport: A Better, Greener Britain strategy sets a legally binding path towards a net-zero transport...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Project power: ASDAN expands its qualifications portfolio

From 2026, ASDAN’s planned Foundation and Higher Project Qualifications will sit alongside its Extended Project Qualification[CM1] , creating a complete...

Advertorial
ATAs

Spotlight on excellence: Nominations now open for the Apprenticeship & Training Awards 2026

Nominations are open for the 2026 Apprenticeship & Training Awards, celebrating outstanding employers and providers with national recognition, a...

FE Week Reporter

More from this theme

Prison education

‘Devastating’ prison education cuts will fuel reoffending, warns chief inspector

Many prisoners return to causing 'mayhem' in their community after their release

Josh Mellor
Prison education

No improvement for education of young offenders

Most institutions are stuck in a 'vicious cycle' of isolation and frustration

Josh Mellor
Prison education

‘Bleak existence’ at London young offender institute

15-18 year-olds locked up for 20 hours a day as inspectors warn education attendance levels would 'never be acceptable'...

Josh Mellor
Prison education

Existing providers win £1.5bn prison education ‘overhaul’

Critics warn the system will continue to fail unless more drastic action is taken

Anviksha Patel

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *