The government is considering a major overhaul of the prison system, where prisoners may need to earn their freedom through “good behaviour credits” rather than being automatically released after a set period. This approach follows a similar scheme in Texas, where prisoners can reduce the length of their sentences by earning credits for good behaviour and productive work, potentially serving as little as 25% of their sentence behind bars.
In England and Wales, automatic early release was introduced in 1991 for prisoners sentenced to less than four years, later expanded to include more serious criminals in 2003. Currently, up to 70% of prisoners are released automatically. The proposed system would allow prisoners to earn credits through work, training, or educational participation.
Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, emphasised the importance of a “carrot-and-stick” approach, suggesting that incentivising good behaviour might mean ending automatic releases. The government would need to carefully adapt lessons from Texas to fit the UK system.
David Gauke, the former Conservative justice secretary, also visited Texas and noted how good behaviour and intensive rehabilitation schemes helped reduce prison overcrowding. The scheme in Texas has led to a reduction in the number of offenders recalled to jail. Gauke argued that incentivising good behaviour over time allows for a more thoughtful evaluation of prisoners’ conduct.
