Former Home Secretary to lead independent review examining prison safety, security and long-term challenges
Former Home Secretary Amber Rudd has been appointed to lead an independent review into the safety and security of prisons across England and Wales as the government moves to address long-term challenges within the prison system. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Justice on 1 July 2026.
The review will examine persistent issues including violence, illicit drugs, organised crime, corruption, staffing, prison capacity and the condition of the prison estate. It will also assess how prisons can respond to emerging threats such as drone activity and cyber risks while strengthening rehabilitation, improving staffing and leadership, and reducing reoffending.
According to the government, the review marks the next phase of prison reform after ministers said they had taken immediate action to stabilise a prison system that had been operating under significant pressure. Recent official figures indicate improvements, with lower rates of assaults on prison staff, self-harm and self-inflicted deaths. Inspection reports published during the past year have also recorded improvements across a number of prisons. However, ministers acknowledged that violence, assaults on staff and self-harm remain at unacceptable levels, highlighting the need for sustained reform.
Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor David Lammy said the government had inherited prisons affected by overcrowding, violence, drugs and organised crime. He stated that while the system is now on a more stable footing, the independent review will help tackle the deep-rooted problems and develop a long-term strategy to improve public safety, reduce reoffending and strengthen the prison system and develop a long-term strategy to improve public safety, reduce reoffending and strengthen the prison system.
Amber Rudd said prisons play a fundamental role in protecting the public and ensuring prisons do not become places where criminal behaviour is reinforced. She said the review would focus on improving prison security, protecting staff and strengthening the system’s ability to reduce reoffending. Rudd added that she intends to work independently with government departments and frontline staff to identify practical reforms that will make prisons safer and more resilient.
The review is expected to report its findings by December 2026. Its recommendations will help shape future decisions on prison investment and long-term reform. The terms of reference also state that the review will consider the wider prison system, including private operators, partner organisations and examples of international good practice.
The review will look to build on efforts already been made to keep prisons safer, including £40 million previously committed to security improvements and a further £35 million announced in June 2026 to install heavy-duty steel grilles on up to 13,000 prison cell windows to help prevent drones from smuggling contraband into prisons.