Who is really to blame for our overcrowded prisons?

HMP Wandsworth is one of the most overcrowded prisons in England and Wales (Picture: Getty) One of the first things Keir Starmer’s government did after coming into power in July 2024 was tweak sentencing rules so prisoners could be released earlier, to help relieve pressure on prisons. Almost exactly two years later, history is repeating itself in the opening weeks of another Prime Minister’s term. As Andy Burnham faces the latest phase of the crisis, he’s proposed releasing more women prisoners early and tackling notorious indefinite IPP sentences. But with this new controversy comes a new set of questions: who is really to blame this time? If we’re seeking proper answers about how we ended up here, we’re going to have to confront something much deeper than regular politics. Get this stor