Labour to abolish most short prison sentences in England and Wales

Published on August 24, 2025 at 09:57 AM
Labour to abolish most short prison sentences in England and Wales

Exclusive: Legislation that will include Texas-style scheme to shorten jail time expected to be rolled out this year

Ministers will legislate next month to abolish most short prison sentences, toughen up community punishments and introduce a Texas-inspired system whereby inmates can earn early release as part of an attempt to avert another prison crisis.

Government sources said the legislation, which will bring about the biggest shake-up in sentencing laws in England and Wales for three decades, would be introduced once MPs had returned to the Commons in September.

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Prisons and probationUK criminal justiceEnglandWalesLawSocietyUK newsLabourShabana MahmoodPolitics

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