Sentencing Academy welcomes the final report of the Independent Sentencing Review
The Sentencing Academy welcomes today’s final report of the Independent Sentencing Review. It is clear that David Gauke and his panel of experts have undertaken a serious and evidence-led exercise in response to the terms of reference set by the Government, in which the need to reduce pressure on prison capacity has been explicit from […]
Measuring Sentence Inflation in England and Wales
The Sentencing Academy has published a new analysis, authored by Jose Pina-Sánchez, Julian V. Roberts and Jonathan Bild, of sentence inflation in England and Wales since 2005. Read the report here: Measuring Sentence Inflation in England and Wales Executive Summary: This Research Bulletin reports findings from the first comprehensive analysis of ‘sentence inflation’ in England […]
Briefing: Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill
Background On 1 April 2025, the Government published the Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill. It will have its Second Reading on 22nd April. This draft legislation amends the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to prevent sentencing guidelines about pre-sentence reports (PSRs) from making reference to ‘different personal characteristics’ of an offender. The legislation follows the […]
The Government, Parliament and the Sentencing Council
The recent disagreement between the Lord Chancellor and the Sentencing Council has raised questions about how the Council develops its guidelines, and how much input the Government currently has into the Council and those guidelines. This ‘Explainer’ summarises the ways in which the Council engages with the Government, Parliament and the wider community, and as […]
Research and Policy Officer Vacancy
We are looking for a Research and Policy Officer on an initial one year fixed-term contract. The primary responsibility for this role will be to create content for our forthcoming Sentencing Hub, which will draw together an array of resources on sentencing in England and Wales, including research summaries and data trends. The Sentencing Hub […]
The new Imposition Guideline and the role of the Pre-Sentence Report at sentencing
This explainer discusses the role of the Pre-Sentence Report (PSR) in light of the Sentencing Council’s recently amended guideline regarding the Imposition of Community and Custodial Sentences (hereafter, Imposition Guideline).[1] The updated guideline includes greater guidance for sentencers on the types of cohorts of defendants for whom a PSR may be beneficial when they are […]
A (Re)View of the Future? What sentencing policy will look like after Gauke
By Ellie Cumbo Last week, the Independent Sentencing Review published its interim report. Although its scope is limited to just the first of seven themes that were set out in last year’s Call for Evidence, this encompasses the recent history of sentencing, including the key drivers of change during that time, and whether or not […]
Response to Independent Sentencing Review 2024 to 2025
The Sentencing Academy has submitted a response to the Independent Sentencing Review 2024 to 2025. You can read our response below and also an additional technical appendix that sets out further details on our analyses about sentence inflation contained within the response. Sentencing Academy Response to Independent Sentencing Review Technical Appendix – Plotting Sentence Severity […]
Sentencing Council, Sentencing Academy and The City Law School join forces to explore perspectives on sentencing
Leading experts in the field of sentencing gathered to explore important and current sentencing-related issues at a seminar jointly hosted by the Sentencing Council, Sentencing Academy and The City Law School on Friday 10 January. The seminar, now a biennial event, was opened by The Lady Chief Justice, the Council’s President, and its Chairman, Lord […]
Sentencing Academy welcomes two new members of staff
In what promises to be a busy year for sentencing in England and Wales, with an Independent Sentencing Review currently underway, the Sentencing Academy is delighted to welcome two new members of staff. Estella Baker has joined as Co-Executive Director and Ellie Cumbo is our new Director of External Relations. Estella Baker developed interdisciplinary expertise […]
Perspectives on Sentencing Seminar
The Sentencing Academy is delighted to be co-hosting, with the Sentencing Council and The City Law School, a day-long event – ‘Perspectives on Sentencing’ – on Friday 10 January 2025. The event will take place at The City Law School and will feature panel discussions on a variety of topical themes, including the Government’s Sentencing […]
Who’s in Prison and What’s the Purpose of Imprisonment? A Survey of Public Knowledge and Attitudes
The Sentencing Academy has published a new report, authored by Julian V. Roberts, Lilly Crellin, Jonathan Bild and Jade Mouton, that examines public knowledge of, and attitudes to, imprisonment. The report is based on a survey of 1,871 adults living in England and Wales. Read the full report here: Who’s in Prison and What’s the […]
