The Prison Recall Report was a piece of participatory action research that demonstrates seven key findings and provides seven key recommendations for urgent change. It forms a part of Switchback’s Reshape Release campaign, that aims to platform the role of effective resettlement for people leaving prison, to reduce reoffending and give people a real chance to thrive.
The Prison Recall Report 2025
- Recent data released by the government (24.04.25) reveals a dramatic rise in the number of people being recalled to prison. The figures show that recall has risen by 45% compared to the same quarter last year (October to December 2024).
- Whilst this figure is taken from the period that the early release scheme came into operation, it reflects a wider trend in the escalating rates of recall.
- Between July and September 2024, 14,920 people were released from prison, and 9,975 were recalled for breaching their licence conditions.
Our new report, created in partnership with our Experts by Experience Board, provides seven key recommendations to urgently address the recall crisis. The Prison Recall Report 2025 highlights how the failure to effectively support people on release from prison is continuing to exacerbate the prison overcrowding crisis.
Sian Williams, Switchback CEO, “This peer-led report provides workable solutions to real-world problems that – if implemented – have the potential to change lives and significantly reduce both reoffending and the total number of people in prison. This Prison Recall Report clearly indicates that the existing system of prison release and recall is not working and needs reform.
Our research shows there is a better way. We must invest in creating better relationships between prison leavers and probation officers and offer mentorship to every person who wants it so that people receive effective support, not just superficial oversight. We must factor individual neurodiversity and literacy needs into how we are communicating to people on probation so that people understand their rights and responsibilities. And we must take seriously the long-lasting negative impact of being recalled on someone’s ability to move away from crime. Recall should be a last option, not a first resort.”
Daniel Mills, Switchback Policy and Public Affairs Lead, “The Prison Recall Report agrees with The Independent Sentencing Review, which made a clear case for reforming the recall system to reduce prison capacity and create safer communities. This report provides deep insight from people with lived experience, on what is going wrong with the existing system and sets out a path forward to reforming the recall system.
Switchback are keen to work with a cross-party of MP’s and organisations to Reshape Release so that more people can live life differently. This problem is driving the prison capacity crisis. In one quarter in 2024, there were 4 recalls for every 5 prison releases. If we do not solve this problem we cannot address the capacity crisis.”
Please email policy@switchback.org.uk if you would like to talk to Switchback and our Experts by Experience Board about this work.
A thank you to Toynbee Hall, who partnered with us and consulted us on this piece of work.
We’re particularly grateful for the support of Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Barrow Cadbury Trust for their generous support over the last
three years. Their funding was instrumental in building the expertise and capacity of Switchback and our Experts by Experience Board, allowing us to produce work such as this.
From charitable trusts to employers providing work experience for Trainees, we are very grateful to the fantastic partners and supporters who make Switchback’s work possible. Thank you to all those who made this report possible.
The Prison Recall Report 2025
