Prison officers are calling for more government support amid the rolling out of new prison legislation.
The British parliament has approved a new legislation which will aim to support prisons overcrowding in prisons called the Sentencing Act 2026.
It received Royal Assent in January 2026, aimed at reducing prison overcrowding and promoting rehabilitation, but the Prison Officers Association (POA) has called for more reform from the British government.
The Sentencing Act aims to reduce the justice system in England and Wales by lessening overcrowding and promoting community rehabilitation, and will mean courts have to suspend custodial sentences for 12 months or less.
This will keep offenders out of prison unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Steve Gillan, the general secretary of the POA, said the reforms are likely to reduce prison numbers in the short term by allowing some offenders to spend less time in custody or be released earlier. This could ease overcrowding, reduce pressure on prison staff and improve day-to-day safety inside prisons.
However, he said: “This is a temporary solution unless the government invests in more prison places, recruits and retains experienced staff, and strengthens rehabilitation services.
“Without those wider changes, overcrowding pressures are likely to return.”
According to the House of Commons Library, 367 prisoners were released in error from 2023 to 2025 , reflecting the need for a new form of legislation.
Gillan added: “Reform should focus not only on sentencing but also on creating safer prisons that reduce reoffending and protect both staff and the public.”
He said if he could change aspects of the act, he would like to see a well-staffed prison system which benefits everyone.
Phil Hannat, who is part of the national executive committee of the POA, said overcrowing in prisons is putting huge pressure on an already under-resourced service.
“We generally sit behind the wall, and we are a forgotten service because it isn’t highlighted,” he said.
Dave Todd, the vice chairman of the POA, voiced his desire for prison officer training to be longer and better paid so that it is in line with police officers who have seen a consistent wage growth in comparison to prison officers who have not.
“There is no big investment in the community in the probation service. Without investment and without the numbers to be able to deal with the scale of the problem, then you’re just going to fail,” Todd said.
He added the retirement age for officers should be lowered.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “This government is fixing the prison crisis it inherited – building 14,000 more prison places and reforming sentencing so we can always lock up dangerous criminals.
“Without this decisive action, prisons would run out of space entirely as early as November and we would be unable to lock up serious offenders at all.
“We hugely value our hardworking staff and we are driving recruitment, having boosted salaries so they now start at over £37,000.”
Featured image credit: Matthew Ansley via Unsplash
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