When this Labour government came into power, we inherited a prison system that was on its knees. Years of Tory neglect had left prisons overcrowded, crumbling, and dangerously close to running out of space.  

In March, there were just 824 spaces left for the male adult prison population, meaning it was operating at over 99% capacity. Like many other public services, we learnt that the previous government had washed their hands of our prison services by the end of their term, accepting defeat without a care for what happened when they were out of office. 

This wasn’t just a crisis of capacity – it was a crisis of justice. People who had crimes committed against them were being let down and short prison sentences were failing to rehabilitate offenders or keep communities safe.  

Victims in Crewe and Nantwich deserve to know that their case will be dealt with. Our community deserves to know that the system to stop reoffending is working. 

There isn’t a quick fix for over a decade of austerity alongside a tragic net prison provision of 500 places. That’s why Labour arranged for the Independent Sentencing Review conducted earlier this year, led by a former Justice Secretary. 

The recommendations from that review are now being implemented. The government have introduced and voted for the Sentencing Bill 2025 – a bold, evidence-led plan to fix the system and restore public confidence. 

What the Bill does: 

• Includes tougher sentences for repeat offenders, like new powers to ban prolific thieves from construction sites and tool retailers. 

• Diverts resources from short prison sentences, replacing them with intensive community sentences that include curfews, alcohol bans, and exclusion zones. These are proven to reduce reoffending more effectively than short stints in prison. 

• Focuses on rehabilitation, as prisoners who follow the rules and engage in rehabilitation can be released earlier under strict supervision. This frees up space for the most dangerous criminals and helps break the cycle of reoffending. 

• Delivers justice for victims, as courts must now consider the full impact of crimes like tool theft, including emotional distress and lost income, not just the monetary value. 

• Establishes democratic accountability for sentencing policy, which will now be approved by elected ministers, not left solely to unelected bodies. That means the public’s voice matters again in how justice is delivered. 

Let’s be clear: the most serious offenders – including those serving life or extended sentences – will not benefit from early release. This Bill is about fixing a broken system, protecting victims, and making our communities safer. 

I have seen some people choosing to attack this Bill, praying on the fears of vulnerable victims of crime. This is as dangerous as it is dishonest. We cannot build our way out of this issue, and they know that – it’s why they closed almost as many prisons as they opened in a 14-year period.  

By outlining what’s included in this Bill, I hope to help those with concerns understand that this is not about letting perpetrators get off scot-free. It’s about giving our criminal justice system a better set of tools to protect victims and drive down reoffending. 

If anyone still has a question or issue they’d like to raise, I encourage you to get in touch with me at Connor.Naismith.MP@parliament.uk