Prison recalls up 28% in England and Wales, new figures reveal
New 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 overwhelmed probation services and the challenges faced by released offenders, rather than a surge in new criminal activity.
Why it matters
The data raises questions about the efficacy of the current probation system and the impact of early release schemes on public safety and recidivism management.
By Tom Edgington and Harriet Agerholm BBC Verify Published 30 July 2026 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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