Large rise in offenders sent back to prison, figures reveal
Government figures show a 28% increase in prison recalls in England and Wales, reaching over 51,000 cases in the year ending March 2026. Experts attribute the rise to an overwhelmed probation service and the challenges faced by offenders upon release.
Why it matters
The data highlights systemic issues within the criminal justice system, specifically regarding the efficacy of early release schemes and the capacity of probation services.
By Tom Edgington and Harriet Agerholm BBC Verify Published 16 minutes ago There has been a large rise in the number of offenders being recalled to prisons in England and Wales having been released on licence, new government figures show.
There were 51,419 licence recalls in the year ending March 2026, up from 40,259 in the previous year - a 28% increase.
Although recalls in January to March were slightly lower than the previous three-month period, they remain well above historical levels.
The figures follow government schemes to release a number of offenders early in an effort to ease prison overcrowding.
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) said offenders released on licence face strict conditions "and can be hauled back to prison if they break these rules".
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