Skip to content

Produced by the Sentencing Academy

Sentencing Trends 2005-2024

Key Facts and Statistics

by Annalena Wolcke

Last updated: Feb 2026

Download as Infographic

Fact 1

Volume of Sentences Imposed 2005-20241

Over the last 20 years, the volume of sentences declined from almost 1,500,000 to below 900,000. This decline reflects several factors including a drop in crime rates and possibly changes in charging practices.

Fact 2

Trends in the Use of Sanctions 2005-2024

Combined, prison sentences, suspended sentences of imprisonment, and Community Orders make up between 19-26% of all sanctions imposed every year.

Note: Other sanctions include absolute discharge, conditional discharge, compensation, and the category ‘otherwise dealt with’.

Fact 3

Proportionate Use of Fines 2005-2024

Fines make up the majority of sanctions imposed every year.

Fact 4

Proportionate Use of Sanctions, 2005 vs 2024

2005

2024

Between 2005 and 2024, the use of fines increased, while the proportionate use of Community Orders more than halved. The proportionate use of Immediate Custody has been stable at around 7%.

Note: Other sanctions include compensation and ‘otherwise dealt with’.

Fact 5

Average Prison Population 2005-20242

Between 2005 and 2024, the annual average prison population in England & Wales increased by 22%.

Fact 6

Immediate Imprisonment Rate 2010-2024

While the overall custody rate has remained relatively stable over the last 15 years, the custody rate for the most serious offences (indictable-only offences) has fluctuated between 70 to 77%.

Fact 7

Average Custodial Sentence Length in months, 2010-2024

Between 2010 and 2024, the average custodial sentence length increased by 45% (from 13.7 to 19.9 months). The average sentence length for the most serious offences (indicatable-only) increased more rapidly, by 81% (from 38.7 months in 2010 to 70 months in 2024).

Fact 8

Average Duration of Court Orders in months, 2005-20243

Between 2005 and 2024, the average length of Suspended Sentence Orders increased by 13%, while the average length of Community Orders decreased slightly.

Fact 9

Relative Frequency of Requirements Attached to Court Orders, 20244

In 2024, rehabilitation and unpaid work requirements were the most common requirements attached to both Suspended Sentence Orders (SSOs) and Community Orders (COs). While 7% of SSOs had an Alcohol and Monitoring Requirement attached, 7% of COs had an Alcohol Treatment Requirement attached.

Fact 10

Re-Offending Rate 2005-20235

Between 2005 and 2023, the reoffending rate was relatively stable, rising by 12% (from 25% to 28%) for all offences.

Note: The MoJ defines reoffending as any offence committed in a one-year follow-up period that leads to a court conviction, caution, reprimand, or warning.

Fact 11

Average Number of Reoffences per Offender 2005-2023

Between 2005 and 2023, the average number of reoffences per offender increased by 52% (from 3.1 to 4.7) for all offences.

Note: The MoJ defines reoffending as any offence committed in a one-year follow-up period that leads to a court conviction, caution, reprimand, or warning.

Download this infographic as PDF

This infographic is one of a series on sentencing trends in England & Wales. Others can be found here. For further information, contact Annalena Wolcke at a.wolcke@sentencingacademy.org.uk

  1. Facts 1-4, 6-7: Data calculated from Ministry of Justice (2014; 2016; 2025), Criminal Justice Statistics Quarterly: December; 2004-2014, 2010-2016, 2017-2024. Outcomes by offence data tool, Table 2. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/criminal-justice-statistics-quarterly. ↩︎
  2. Fact 5: Data calculated from
    1) Ministry of Justice (2025), Offender management statistics quarterly: January to March 2025. Annual Prison Population. Table 1A.3. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68892d34048fff613a4d5b2e/prison-population-2025.ods.

    2) Ministry of Justice (2015),Offender management statistics quarterly: January to March 2015. Prison Population 2015. Table 1A.2. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f8767ed915d74e33f6fef/prison-population-2015.xlsx. ↩︎
  3. Fact 8:
    1) MoJ (2025). Offender management statistics quarterly: October to December 2024. Probation: 2024, published 24 April. Table 6.2a; 6.2d.
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6807c3c83bdfd1243078e6f2/probation-2024.ods;

    2) MoJ (2014). Offender management statistics quarterly: October to December 2014 and annual. Probation tables: 2024, published 30 April. Table A4.2. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80923840f0b62305b8bed8/probation-tables-annual-2014.xls ↩︎
  4. Fact 9:
    Ministry of Justice (2025) Offender management statistics quarterly: October to December 2024, Probation: 2024, Table 6.9a; 6.9b. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6807c3c83bdfd1243078e6f2/probation-2024.ods. ↩︎
  5. Facts 10-11: Data Calculated from
    1) Ministry of Justice (2026). Proven reoffending statistics: January to March 2024. Proven reoffending tables (annual average), April 2023 to March 2024. Table A1. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6978ada25da1fd4ddea98bf9/proven-reoffending_jan24_mar24_annual.ods.

    2) Ministry of Justice (2015). Proven reoffending statistics January 2013 to December 2013. Proven reoffending tables: January to December 2013. Table A1. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a81ae7240f0b62305b90445/proven-reoffending-2013-tables.xlsx. ↩︎