The Sentencing Act 2026 received royal assent on 22 January 2026.  The news story on Gov.uk was “Sentencing Act ensuring punishment cuts crime gets Royal Assent” and a sub-headline stating: “New laws will end automatic release for badly behaved offenders and strengthen community punishment.” So how will that change things on the ground? The short […]

“There are at present some 3,000 children in YOIs. Somewhere in the region of 1,000 are aged either 15 or 16. The rest are aged 17. They are, on any view, vulnerable and needy children. Disproportionately they come from chaotic backgrounds. Many have suffered abuse or neglect. The view of the Howard League is that they need help, protection […]

“The laws of God and man both give the party an opportunity to make his defence, if he has any. I remember to have heard it observed by a very learned man, upon such an occasion, that even God himself did not pass sentence upon Adam before he was called upon to make his defence.” […]