Open Letter to Minister: Concerns about the early release new provisions: Need for greater safeguards for victims and communities
On February 18th 2025
The Independent Sentencing Review has exposed a severe crisis in the prison system of England and Wales, revealing critical overcrowding and systemic failures that threaten the entire criminal justice framework. Restorative Justice for All International Institute (RJ4All), a leading nonprofit advocating for restorative justice, confirms these findings and urges the urgent adoption of alternative approaches it has long championed.
On July 15th 2025
RJ4All wrote to Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood, raising concerns that the early release scheme aimed at tackling the prison capacity crisis is merely a temporary solution and does not address the root causes of societal problems. Instead, we advocate for restorative justice as a long-term approach that not only reduces reoffending but also benefits victims, offenders, and communities.
On October 15th 2025
RJ4All calls on Lord Timpson to embed restorative justice within rehabilitation and sentencing reforms, arguing that prison expansion and electronic monitoring alone cannot address reoffending. The letter proposes evidence-based, community-led restorative justice, stronger victim participation, and RJ4All’s inclusion in policy development to support rehabilitation and safer communities.
The Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union
02.09.26
Dear Rt Hon Andy Burnham,
I write on behalf of the RJ4All International Institute, the International Fellowship of Restorative Justice Practitioners and those who have signed the RJ4All International Restorative Justice Pledge. Accumulatively, these groups represent over 300 individuals and organisations, some of whom are victims of crime, ex-offenders or criminal justice practitioners.
From 1 October 2026, changes to the Sentencing Act will introduce additional opportunities for prisoners to be released earlier. I am calling on you to intervene and pause, as we have evidence indicating that communities and the victims we represent are not yet adequately prepared for the implications of these changes.
Firstly, rehabilitation is most effective when everyone affected by harm is genuinely empowered to participate in repairing, restoring and transforming relationships and communities. Holistic restorative justice practices, founded on principles of meaningful participation and power-sharing, can contribute to reducing reoffending while also repairing harm caused and giving those affected a meaningful voice in the process (Gavrielides, T 2024).
Therefore, we support your intention to provide a holistic offer to offenders following their release. However, we are concerned that the civil society and community sectors are not yet sufficiently prepared or resourced to support the scale and speed of these changes. Moreover, the probation system has provided evidence that they are lacking the resources and expertise to support your policy. When reduced sentences are granted on the basis of positive behaviour in prison, it must be recognised that this does not alleviate community risk, pressures on probation services and potential revictimisation (see recidivism rates below).
We also recognise that cases involving rape, serious child sex offences and grooming offences were excluded from the new progression/release model. However, this does not provide sufficient clarity regarding cases in which such conduct was present but was not the primary charge or offence for which an individual was convicted. We also want to remind you that the evidence on the effectiveness of restorative justice point out that the more serious and complex the case is the more chances of success (Gavrielides, T 2019).
Echoing the concerns of many campaigners who have warned you about homelessness, unemployment, mental health challenges and poverty, we draw on our own experience of running a Community Centre in SE16, London. IIf you are genuinely committed to changing how rehabilitation is delivered in our criminal justice system, you must slow down your scheme and allow our sector to support you.
We remain confident that your government will work collaboratively with communities and engage with them democratically, helping to ensure the success of the scheme. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss these concerns with you and to explore how restorative justice and community-based expertise can contribute to a safer and more effective approach to rehabilitation and reintegration.
Sincerely,
Lottie Johnson
Head of Impact and Research
Restorative Justice for All (RJ4ALL) International Institute
Prof. Theo Gavrielides, PhD
Founder & Director
Restorative Justice for All (RJ4ALL) International Institute
Additional information & stats
General picture
- There were 85,708 people in prison on 27July 2026. The proven reoffending rate was 29.9% for the July to September 2024 cohort.
- There are currently 121 prisons (110 male prisons, 12 female, and 4 under 18) with a useable operational capacity of 89,120.
- The average direct cost per prisoner was estimated in 2023 to be £35,053 but taking into account all other resource expenditure this cost rises to £56,618.
For SE16 – South London
- Based on our desk research and regular focus groups with local stakeholders and community members, key variables impacting community cohesion include unaddressed inter-community conflict, mental health challenges, socio-economic disadvantages, and insecurities related to food, housing, employment, and education. Additionally, the lack of community spaces for engagement, cultural cohesion, acceptance, and the lack of trust in local public figures, due to perceived power abuse, further exacerbates these issues.
- We have found that food and housing insecurity, are two of the most basic needs, which can reduce recidivism by up to 30%. This is why we have a food bank at the centre, see https://rj4all.org/food-services/ In Southwark in 2021/2022, there was estimated that 16% of adults were identified as food insecure, which is about 41,000 residents above sixteen years of age. In 2022/23 435 people were seen rough sleeping in Southwark, which represents a 12% increase when compared to 2021-2022. During 2022-2023, 59% were new rough sleepers in the borough.
- Additionally, rehabilitation programmes that incorporate mental health support have been found to improve more long-term outcomes. This is why we have mental health circles see https://rj4all.org/wellbeing-services/
References:
Gavrielides, T. (2019). Collapsing the criminal labels of domestic violence: A social and restorative justice approach, London: RJ4All Publications. ISBN: 978-1-911634-15-7, DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.18407.73123.
Gavrielides, T. (2024). The RJ4All Restorative Justice Practice Framework: 10 Steps to delivering safe and compliant restorative justice: RJ4All Publications, ISBN: 978-1-80463-003-7. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.24975.80803.
