In the upcoming weeks, the government will be reviewing sentencing guidelines, and as part of that process, they will be examining global precedents.
According to News, ministers at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) are especially interested in Texas as an example.
In a US state, “smart sentencing” has allowed inmates to serve shorter sentences by receiving credit for good behavior.
They can also receive points for enrolling in classes that address the root causes of criminal activity, such as drug and alcohol abuse.
With the use of the points system, Texas, under the direction of its Republican-led government, has been able to lower the number of inmates.
Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, is reportedly considering a trip to the US this year to explore ways for the UK to lower its high recidivism rate and overcrowding in prisons.
