In the Guardian today, the above and:

More people were recalled to jails in England and Wales in the first half of this year than were released, despite government efforts to reduce the prison population, according to figures released on Thursday. Ministry of Justice (MoJ) data shows that 12,338 people were recalled to custody between the beginning of April and the end of June, while 12,278 people were released. It continues a trend set between January and March, when 13,193 people were returned to prison and 12,977 released. A total of 52,716 prisoners were put back behind bars in the year to June after breaching the terms of their licence – 27% up on the previous 12-month total.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/oct/29/more-prisoners-recalled-than-released-england-wales

How does this compare with Scotland

Recalls as a share of the prison population

• England & Wales (2026): 52,716 ÷ 87,700 – 60.1%
• Scotland (2025): 340 ÷ 8,500 – 4.0%

15 times higher in England & Wales.

Recalls per 1,000 prisoners

• England & Wales (2026): 601 per 1,000 prisoner
• Scotland (2025): 40 per 1,000

25 times higher!

Sources:

1. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/oct/29/more-prisoners-recalled-than-released-england-wales
2. https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/questions-and-answers/question?ref=S6W-43452

Explanations?

One:

Violent crime in England & Wales is 8 times more common than in Scotland…per square mile

Property and violent crime has fallen by 42% in Scotland since 2008-09

Two:

Scotland has twice as many ‘probation officers’