Why are Recidivism Rates so High, and how do we improve them?
- UCL Law for All Society
- Feb 7
- 4 min read
By Darcie Dudding
Recidivism is a considerable issue within the prison system in the UK. There are numerous factors that may affect the likelihood of reoffending, but the most significant are the lack of proper rehabilitation within prison, lack of employment after prison, coupled often with debt and the limited capacity of the probation facilities. However, there is still hope; with the aid of charities, opportunities exist to improve them.
A key reason that recidivism rates are so high is the over-reliance on short sentences. The reoffending rate in the UK is 26.5%, over 56% of offenders who are serving sentences of less than 12 months will go on to reoffend. This is because it is a period often too brief for meaningful rehabilitation. In 2024, nearly 50,000 people received short custodial sentences of 12 months or less, which account for the majority of prison sentences imposed. Short sentences disrupt housing, employment, and family relationships while offering limited access to education, training, or treatment programmes. In contrast, recent data suggests that community sentences, when properly resourced, are up to 10% more effective at reducing reoffending than short custodial sentences. Thus illustrating how limited short-term imprisonment is as both an effective deterrent, and rehabilitation device.
Furthermore, imprisonment creates instability for both housing and employment. Many people leave prison without secure accommodation; according to the Homeless Link, nearly one in ten released prisoners were homeless upon release, and only around 40% secured settled accommodation. Without stable housing, it becomes extremely difficult to find employment, comply with probation, or avoid criminogenic environments. Homelessness is strongly linked to reoffending, making housing support a vital area for reform. Employment barriers further entrench the cycle of reoffending. A criminal record can significantly reduce job prospects, especially in sectors requiring DBS disclosure and barring service checks. Despite the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, which allows most convictions to become ‘spent’ after a rehabilitation period, meaning they do not need to be disclosed for many jobs, this is only important if they are able to properly re-acclimatise to society. Many individuals also lack qualifications or work experience due to disrupted education and time spent out of the labour market. Government evidence suggests that only about 17–31% of ex-offenders are in employment within six months of release, reflecting severe barriers to work that are linked with reoffending risk.
Additionally, in the UK, there is ineffective rehabilitation within prisons. UK prisons are frequently overcrowded and understaffed, limiting opportunities for education, vocational training, and behavioural programmes. However, as illustrated by Norway, the path to decreased recidivism is increased funding. In the 1990s, 70% of prisoners released in Norway committed crimes within two years of release. Comparatively, the recidivism rate in Norway is far lower today, at just 18%. Analysing Ullersmo Prison in Norway, which houses prisoners serving the longest sentences, the prison is also home to a school and workshops that offer skills training in areas such as automotive repair and carpentry. While not nationwide, the charity Clink has provided similar opportunities for UK prisoners with accredited training in food service, with a reduced chance of Clink graduates reoffending by 65.6%. Additionally, Norway removed life sentences as a punishment. While the maximum sentence is 30 years, more than 60% are less than three months, and almost 90% of sentences are less than a year long. The country pays a significant amount each year to support each incarcerated individual, £69,201.30, compared to £50,000 in the UK, but it also has one of the smallest prison populations, ranking fourth-lowest in the world, with only 54 people per 100,000 in prison.
To conclude, recidivism rates in the UK are a complex issue that is worsened by various factors, from structural limitations to instability created by flawed prison term lengths. However, by focusing on examples such as Norway or the efforts of charities like Clink, it is evident that the prison system requires reform. Addressing the over-reliance on short-term prison sentences through increased use of community service alternatives, which would preserve vital housing and employment links while providing more effective rehabilitation, as they aid the community they wish to rejoin. Crucially, there is the question of investing in prison education, vocational training, and after-release support, all of which are essential in the fight against the cycle of recidivism, which is leading to the current overcrowding in UK prisons. Although the Norwegian model shows that with significant funding, there can be a dramatic reduction in the rates of recidivism, even minor changes in the UK, such as increasing the scope of the Clink program and improving the probation service, could bring about significant improvements. Ultimately, there needs to be a shift away from a punishment-based model towards one that focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration, given that successful prisoner rehabilitation is not only good for the individual but also for the greater good of the community and the economy, which bears the high costs of recidivism.
Sources:
Bywater, P. (2013). Community Sentences Better at Reducing Reoffending than Short Spell behind Bars. [online] Prison Reform Trust. Available at: https://prisonreformtrust.org.uk/community-sentences-better-at-reducing-reoffending-than-short-spell-behind-bars/ [Accessed 26 Jan. 2026].
Cordle, R. and Gale, E. (2025). Reducing Reoffending A Synthesis of Evidence on Effectiveness of Interventions. [online] Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/680101e3da5bb2fc4a681fcb/Final_PDF_Reducing_Reoffending_-_Evidence_Synthesis.pdf [Accessed 24 Jan. 2026].
First Step Alliance (2022). What We Can Learn From Norway’s Prison System: Rehabilitation & Recidivism. [online] First Step Alliance. Available at: https://www.firststepalliance.org/post/norway-prison-system-lessons [Accessed 26 Jan. 2026].
Novus (2025). Reoffending Rates in the UK: Breaking the Cycle of Reoffending. [online] Novus. Available at: https://www.novus.ac.uk/news/reoffending-rates-in-the-uk-breaking-the-cycle-of-reoffending/ [Accessed 23 Jan. 2026].
Pervana, S. (2019). Will Norway’s Prison System Work in the U.S.? – Revisions & Reflections. [online] sites.psu.edu. Available at: https://sites.psu.edu/sabrinaprevisions/2019/11/20/will-norways-prison-system-work-in-the-u-s/ [Accessed 26 Jan. 2026].
Edited by Artyom Timofeev
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