The Ministry of Justice yesterday announced an independent review of the prison system, led by former Home Secretary the Rt Hon Amber Rudd (1 July 2026). The review will examine security risks, safety (including violence, self-harm and overcrowding), capacity pressures, and workforce challenges. It will also consider how wider factors, including socio-economic issues and sentencing trends, are compounding pressures on the prison system. 

We welcome this timely review and look forward to sharing the extensive body of evidence that T2A has gathered over the past twenty years. Our work shows how young adults, in particular, are not safe in prisons, experiencing high levels of violence and self-harm. 

The review aims to ‘identify practical and deliverable options for reform to improve the resilience, performance and effectiveness of prisons, and will build a robust evidence base to support long-term decision-making and future investment’. Our research shows how taking a distinct and age-appropriate approach to young adults in prison can help to support these objectives.  This work has informed recommendations made in our recent submission to the Justice Committee, including piloting young adult wings in prisons.  

Upcoming work 

Additionally, two new pieces of work are underway that can offer valuable evidence for the review to consider: 

Reimagining custody for young adults in HMP Swinfen Hall 

Taking place in HMP Swinfen Hall, this project will draw on in-depth input from young adults in custody and staff to consider how a new regime could better meet the needs of this cohort. This work aims to improve staff development, safety, and rehabilitative outcomes.  

Building a better approach to young adults in custody 

Prison Reform Trust are undertaking a comparative research study of existing custodial models for young adults.  Early findings are expected in Autumn 2026. 

Further, we hope the review will carefully consider the recent findings of T2A Alliance members Centre for Crime and Justice Studies and Prison Reform Trust, who found that although the young adult population in prison is decreasing, those who come into prison are serving far longer sentences – often indeterminate and life sentences, with a lack of age-appropriate support and poor access to purposeful activity. 

We know that many reviews have come before this, and failed to enact tangible change. We urge the Government to break this cycle of prison crises, and utilise this review’s findings to firmly tackle the unique challenges that young adults are facing in prison. This is an important opportunity to implement generational change to ensure future cohorts of young adults experience genuine rehabilitation in prison, leading to reduced reoffending and greater public safety.