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.”
Your thoughts