Key facts
- In the first quarter of 2026, 13,193 people were recalled to prison in England and Wales, while 12,977 were released.
- This marks the first time on record that the number of recalls has exceeded the number of releases.
- The recall rate, which indicates how many people are returned to custody for licence breaches per 100 releases, has surpassed 100%.
- In the year to March 2026, 51,419 prisoners were recalled, a 28% increase from the previous year.
- The majority of recalls are for breaches of licence conditions, such as failing to contact probation services or adhere to residency requirements.
For the first time in recorded history, England and Wales have seen more prisoners recalled to custody than released during the first three months of 2026. The Ministry of Justice reported that 13,193 individuals were returned to prison for breaching their licence conditions, a 31% increase from the previous year, while 12,977 were released. This results in a 'recall rate' exceeding 100%, a significant jump from approximately 30% a decade ago.
The surge in recalls is exacerbating an already critical prison overcrowding situation. Prisons are operating near capacity, leading the government to pause plans for early releases aimed at alleviating the crisis. Experts warn that if current trends continue, prison places could be exhausted by Christmas.
Andy Keen-Downs, Chief Executive of the Prison Advice and Care Trust, highlighted that many recalls are for technical licence breaches rather than new offenses, questioning the logic of returning individuals to prison when efforts are being made to reduce the prison population. In the year leading up to March 2026, a record 51,419 prisoners were recalled, with only 22% involving new charges.
Charities are pointing to issues such as homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges as contributing factors to licence breaches. The number of individuals leaving prison homeless has risen by 39% in the year to April 2025. Nacro's Chief Executive, Enver Solomon, described the situation as a system 'not working,' while Revolving Doors' Chief Executive, Pavan Dhaliwal, advocated for recall to be a 'genuine last resort.'
The Ministry of Justice suggests that early release schemes, which allow prisoners to be licensed earlier in their sentences, may be a contributing factor to the rise in recalls. Alex Hewson of the Prison Reform Trust noted that increased releases on licence for shorter sentences create more opportunities for recall, prompting questions about the necessity and proportionality of every return to custody.