The latest criminal justice statistics show that the average custodial sentence in England and Wales has risen to 20.5 months.
Meanwhile, 57% of immediate custodial sentences are still for less than 12 months.
These figures raise some interesting questions.
We hear a great deal about whether sentences are long enough. It’s a subject that understandably generates strong feelings, particularly among victims of crime.
But perhaps we should also ask another question.
What are we expecting prison to achieve?
Punishment? Certainly.
Public protection? Absolutely.
But what about rehabilitation?
If someone is going to return to society, surely it makes sense to use their time in custody constructively.
I spent time in both closed and open women’s prisons. One thing that experience taught me is that prison is not a single, uniform environment. The opportunities and expectations can differ enormously.
That matters when we discuss what people might realistically achieve during a sentence.
A longer sentence may be appropriate for many reasons, including the seriousness of the offence and the need to protect the public.
But sentence length alone doesn’t tell us whether someone will leave prison better equipped to live without offending.
Perhaps the most important question isn’t simply how long people spend inside.
It’s what happens during that time — and what happens when they come out.
Source: Ministry of Justice, Criminal Justice Statistics, year ending June 2026, published 22 October 2026. www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-statistics-quarterly-june-2026/criminal-justice-statistics-quarterly-june-2026-html
Lou Myx is the author of Crime Doesn’t Pay, a memoir of life inside HMP Bronzefield and HMP East Sutton Park. Read more at loumyx.com.
Meanwhile, 57% of immediate custodial sentences are still for less than 12 months.
These figures raise some interesting questions.
We hear a great deal about whether sentences are long enough. It’s a subject that understandably generates strong feelings, particularly among victims of crime.
But perhaps we should also ask another question.
What are we expecting prison to achieve?
Punishment? Certainly.
Public protection? Absolutely.
But what about rehabilitation?
If someone is going to return to society, surely it makes sense to use their time in custody constructively.
I spent time in both closed and open women’s prisons. One thing that experience taught me is that prison is not a single, uniform environment. The opportunities and expectations can differ enormously.
That matters when we discuss what people might realistically achieve during a sentence.
A longer sentence may be appropriate for many reasons, including the seriousness of the offence and the need to protect the public.
But sentence length alone doesn’t tell us whether someone will leave prison better equipped to live without offending.
Perhaps the most important question isn’t simply how long people spend inside.
It’s what happens during that time — and what happens when they come out.
Source: Ministry of Justice, Criminal Justice Statistics, year ending June 2026, published 22 October 2026. www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-statistics-quarterly-june-2026/criminal-justice-statistics-quarterly-june-2026-html
Lou Myx is the author of Crime Doesn’t Pay, a memoir of life inside HMP Bronzefield and HMP East Sutton Park. Read more at loumyx.com.
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