Record number of offenders being recalled to prison in England and Wales
Record numbers of offenders are being recalled to prison in England and Wales with union officials claiming that some are deliberately breaking the terms of their probation in order to deal drugs in prison.Prison sources said that after the implementation of early release schemes, as many as 5,000 men were recalled in December alone – more than a third of the total number released in the year to June 2025.The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) claimed many were deliberately breaking the terms of their licence so they could profit from a lucrative drugs market in jail.There are concerns too many prisoners are being released into the community without housing or support under early release schemes launched to ease the prison overcrowding crisis.Under the current system, prisoners serving sentences for less serious crimes can be freed after serving 40% of their jail terms, instead of the previous 50%.
From the autumn, prisoners are expected to have their release dates brought forward so they will be eligible for release after serving a third of their sentence.Mark Fairhurst, the national chair of the POA, said his members had found many recalled prisoners were deliberately returning to deal drugs.“HMPPS must listen to the voice of the frontline and ensure that recalled prisoners receive their basic entitlements and nothing more.We know many recalls deliberately return to traffic illicit drugs.We must ensure the regime for recalled prisoners is robust and austere,” he said.
The recalled prisoner population more than doubled from approximately 6,300 in June 2018 to 13,500 in June 2025, contributing to the prisons crisis.The latest quarterly figures, to be released on Thursday, are expected to show a further rise over the three months to September.More than half of recalls are associated with non-compliance with licence conditions, such as failure to keep in touch with probation and failure to reside in approved premises.About 20% of recalls are for those facing a further offence charge.About 6,000 probation officers in England and Wales are being asked to supervise more than 240,000 people in the community, including greater numbers of dangerous former prisoners.
The growing workload on probation officers is adding to the number of recalls, according to Tania Bassett, a national official at the probation officers’ union Napo.“Whilst we recognise recall increases around Christmas, these figures suggest a far more deeply rooted issue.Probation is in a staffing and workload crisis and has been for years.This results in a risk adverse workforce who will recall because they simply don’t have the time or space to engage with people,” she said.A report by the prisons watchdog in October warned that drugs in jails were easy to acquire, with prisoners being offered a “menu of drugs” at a hundred times their street value.
The Sentencing Act, which received royal assent last week, is meant to update recall policies and reduce the size of the recall population.Ministers are ending the use of short-term recalls of 14 and 28 days, and instead those who return to jail for breaching licence conditions will be able to be released after 56 days.A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Public protection is our priority so offenders out on licence face strict conditions such as being tagged and can be hauled back to prison if they break these rules.Since 2018, recalled offenders have doubled – a symptom of the prison crisis this government inherited.That’s why we’re reforming recall and building 14,000 extra places, to make sure punishment cuts crime, reduces reoffending and keeps victims safe.
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UK unlikely to join a US attack on Iran – but may help Gulf states if Tehran retaliates
Britain is unlikely to assist the US in an attack on Iran but a deployment of RAF Typhoons to Qatar last week signals a willingness to help regional allies if Tehran tries to widen the conflict in retaliation.A first strike on Iran is unlikely be in line with the UK’s interpretation of international law, but British forces could become involved if there is a need to help Qatar or other regional allies in self-defence.Last week, the RAF’s 12 Squadron, a joint Typhoon unit with the Qatari air force, moved from Lincolnshire to the Gulf state, while the US built up a substantial military presence for a possible attack against the Iranian regime.British sources said the squadron’s forward deployment was “at the request of the Qataris” – to help protect the country, home to the largest US airbase in the region, from any drone and missile counterattack.Earlier this month, Iran warned that US bases in the region, often also home to small numbers of British personnel, would be targeted in retaliation if Donald Trump bombed the country in support of Iranians protesting against the regime
What agreements have been made during Starmer’s trip to China?
Keir Starmer will be pleased that he has secured several agreements to mark his visit to Beijing and by the warm tone of President Xi Jinping’s remarks about his government. However, No 10’s announcements do not put a figure on the value of the deals, and there does not appear to be a big bundle of investments worth billions by Chinese or British firms, which prime ministers have usually tended to hold up as a sign of success. These are the agreements secured by the UK so far.This is probably the biggest coup from the trip. Visa-free travel for Britons to visit China for under 30 days will allow holidays and business trips to take place without the usual bureaucracy
Xi didn’t really see a point to Kier’s visit – but hey, let a hundred flowers bloom | John Crace
Let’s face it, this was never going to be a meeting of equals. Keir Starmer had been desperate to squeeze in a trip to China for some time. Another country to tick off his list and he always feels a lot better about himself when he’s abroad. Less noise from his unhappy MPs. Plus he loved the pomp and ceremony that came with it
Starmer announces visa-free travel to China after talks with Xi in Beijing – UK politics live
Keir Starmer has secured a deal on visa-free travel to China for UK citizens during his visit to Beijing, PA Media reports. PA says:Those visiting the country for less than 30 days will no longer need a visa under the agreement, Downing Street has announced.It will apply to those travelling to China for business and as tourists and brings the rules for UK visitors in line with those from 50 other countries including France and Germany.The change will not come into effect immediately, but Beijing is understood to have committed to unilateral visa-free entry for UK citizens with a start date to be confirmed.British passport-holders currently need a visa to enter mainland China
Shamima Begum is a blot on Sajid Javid’s copybook | Brief letters
Reading your interview with Sajid Javid, with its account of juvenile theft from slot machines, the beatings he received from his father (which Javid himself now recognises as abuse) and the official leniency that he says changed his life, it’s hard to believe that this is the man who, on spurious national security grounds, took away Shamima Begum’s British citizenship for choices she made, or pressures she was put under, as a child.Mark de BrunnerBurn Bridge, North Yorkshire Re Adrian Chiles’s item (Is the wayward apostrophe in WALE’S LARGEST VAPE SHOP a sign of the times?, 29 January), while on holiday in Northumberland last year I visited a delightful cafe that sold various local crafts including handmade “Christma’s card’s”.Jane MarshLondon My mother regarded duvets (Letters, 28 January) as a “continental affectation”. For her, bed-making was all about the neatness of the hospital corners.Sue WallaceThame, Oxfordshire Why not have the World Cup in the US (A World Cup boycott over Trump? Football’s hypotheticals cannot be dismissed any more, 22 January)? They had the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and Fifa has already given a prize to our dictator!Kay KellerSchenectady, New York, US Sincere thanks for making my day last Friday
Nigel Farage meets UAE ministers and drums up donations on Dubai trip
Nigel Farage has paid a visit to Dubai to build diplomatic relations with United Arab Emirates ministers and drum up donations for Reform UK from wealthy expats.The two-night trip was his second visit to the Gulf state in two months, after a £10,000 trip hosted by Abu Dhabi to attend the Formula One grand prix.Farage’s ability to secure an audience with foreign government ministers is a new development, as his diplomatic ties have previously been largely with Donald Trump’s US administration.Speaking at a GB News event, Farage said he had had a “very good interview” with an unnamed UAE minister on Wednesday.One of those present at the event was the UAE industry minister, Sultan Al Jaber, who is also the chief executive of the state oil company Adnoc and a former chair of the UAE’s national media council
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