Bedfordshire PCC calls for greater use of community sentences to tackle prison overcrowding
PCC John Tizard says "we should send fewer people to prison"
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire says prisons are overcrowded because too many people are being sent to jail – and is calling for greater use of community sentences.
More than 87,000 people are currently in prison in England and Wales. Nearly one in four prisoners were held in crowded accommodation in the year to March 2025, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Justice.
PCC John Tizard says fewer people should be sent to prison, while stressing that prisons still have an important role for serious offenders and those who pose a risk to society or victims.
He said: “We should send fewer people to prison. There will always be a role for prisons – ideally well-resourced with a focus on rehabilitation – for those who have committed serious crimes and those who are a risk to society or victims.
“Imprisonment has a role to play in punishment for such criminals, but punishment alone is ineffective and inefficient.”
Mr Tizard believes there should be greater use of community sentences, rather than short prison terms, which he says can provide little opportunity for rehabilitation and may fuel reoffending.
Community sentences have fallen dramatically over the past three decades. Around 30 years ago, a quarter of sentences were community sentences, but by 2024 this had fallen to six per cent.
Tizard said: “England and Wales have had more people in prison per thousand of population than almost any other European country. So that begs the question, why are we not using more community services?”
He also says early release of prisoners has become “inevitable” until there is wider reform of the criminal justice system.
Tizard says that reform would require significant additional resources for probation and the police, as well as housing, training and employment, alongside more mental health and public health services.
“There needs to be investment in tagging and other monitoring processes, offender management services and community support. These will also be required if there is a switch to more community services,” he added.