Time criminals spend under house arrest will increase to 12 months, justice secretary says

October 22, 2024, 3:09 p.m.

Shabana Mahmood confirmed that the government would extend the duration of house arrest for offenders from six to 12 months.

The Justice Secretary told the House of Commons on Tuesday that the government would “follow in the footsteps” of the last administration which “rightly” expanded the use of the measure.

The move aims to address the demographic crisis facing UK prisons.

The same day, around 1,100 inmates were released early due to prison overcrowding.

Learn more: ‘House arrest to replace prison for low-level criminals’ as Justice Secretary attempts to reduce overcrowding

Learn more: Government launches sentencing review to consider harsher non-custodial sentences amid overpopulation crisis

She told the House of Commons: “This Government will soon extend the use of this measure, following in the footsteps of the last administration which rightly extended its use on several occasions.

“We will increase the maximum period eligible offenders can spend under house arrest from six months to 12 months.”

Ms Mahmood launched a sentencing review on Tuesday morning as the government battles to reduce overcrowding in prisons.

Former Conservative justice secretary David Gauke was chosen to lead the project.

Justice Secretary explains how sentencing review aims to resolve the ‘revolving door of justice’

The review will look at using technology to place criminals in a “prison outside prison” and more community service.

Sanctions outside of prison could involve the use of “nudge” technology, sobriety tags, or house arrest curfews.

Ms Mahmood argued in the House of Commons that technological solutions could prove “more restrictive” than prison, particularly for people struggling with addiction.

She said: “It is a sad reality that in many of our prisons today it is too easy for a drinker to obtain a drink. However, on a sobriety label, with his sweat measured every 30 minutes and a 97% compliance rate, his abstinence is almost as strict as mine.

A senior Prison Service source said: “We are particularly interested in nudge technology, such as a wristwatch that says: ‘Have you contacted your probation officer? Are you present for your mental health treatment appointment?’

“These are not things that restrict your freedom, but they are very helpful in terms of behavioral compliance and encouraging compliance.”

It comes as the Justice Secretary told Nick Ferrari at breakfast that the release of 37 prisoners accidentally released early was a “mistake that will never happen again”.

At the time, the Ministry of Justice admitted that the prisoners had been wrongly released as part of Labor’s plans to reduce prison overcrowding.

“It was something that I had not even anticipated,” admitted the Secretary of State for Justice, “as soon as we were informed of it, we acted.”

The findings of the sentencing review will be submitted in the spring of next year. The results of the review are expected to take effect no earlier than March 2026.