The Sentencing Act 2026 received royal assent last week, bringing into law the recommendations of David Gauke’s May 2025 Independent Sentencing Review
Its reforms will be phased in over two years, with the ‘earned progression model’ whereby prisoners earn earlier release through good behaviour, due to begin in the autumn.
Martin Jones, chief inspector of probation, welcomed the extra time to prepare, as well as an extra £700m government investment in the next three years, but warned of difficulties ahead.
‘We know that some measures, including the extension of suspended sentence orders and changes to remand, will come into force in just two months, while implementation planning continues for more complex changes,’ Jones said, in his Chief Inspector’s blog.
‘There will be challenges in ensuring the gap between probation resource and the requirements of the Act are reconciled, and that difficult choices will need to be made around what to prioritise for maximum impact.’
