Early-release prison reforms undermined as recall numbers surge 28%

Ministry of Justice figures show 51,419 offenders were recalled to prison in England and Wales in the year to March 2026, up 28% from 40,259. The BBC reported that most recalls followed licence breaches such as missed appointments, not new offences. Nearly 40,000 prisoners were released early between September 2024 and June 2025 to ease overcrowding — but recalls are sending many back.