More prisoners in England and Wales are recalled than released for first time

In first quarter of 2026 returns for breaches of licence conditions rose 31% creating new pressure on prison places More people were recalled to prison than were released during the first three months of 2026, the first time on record the “recall rate” has surpassed 100% in England and Wales. Between January and March 2026, 12,977 people were released from prison while 13,193 people were returned to prison for breaching their licence conditions, up 31% from last year, new Ministry of Justice ...

By Jessica Murray Social affairs correspondent