Our criminal justice system is facing unprecedented pressure, with a prison population that has more than doubled since 2012 and is exceeding capacity.
However, a new 10-year strategy aims to tackle the root causes.
The Criminal Justice Strategy Refresh 2026-2036, acknowledges that demand has increased due to a “changing crime profile (notably serious drug and sexual offences), rising court volumes and a prison population that has more than doubled since 2012, exceeding capacity”.
Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson said: “Many individuals who come into contact with the criminal justice system face complex and often interrelated challenges. These include mental health needs, substance misuse, trauma and social disadvantage.”
The strategy sets out four priority areas: prevention, rehabilitation, appropriate response, and new ways of working – with specific actions attached to each.
Prevention
A “prevention-first” approach will be coordinated through the Community Safety Partnership, targeting the “root causes of criminal behaviour – such as poverty, substance abuse and lack of opportunity”.
Actions include expanding substance misuse education, increasing mental health support, and implementing a “complex families strategy” informed by the Adverse Childhood Experiences Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.
Community
The strategy aims to “keep offenders connected to the community through community sentences and community service, where appropriate”.
It will explore “alternatives to traditional courts such as problem-solving courts” and introduce a new Youth Justice Target Operating Model.
The minister said: “Early intervention is essential to delivering long-term improvements and actions are being taken to address Adverse Childhood Experiences and provide support through Education, Health and Social Services to support diverting young people from the criminal justice system.”
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation efforts will include increasing the “forensic psychology offer to prisoners and those in rehabilitation”, working with housing partners to “provide safe, stable accommodation that supports reintegration” and introducing a “Think Family” approach.
The strategy also commits to implementing a “restorative justice approach” and working with the Department of Education, Sport and Culture to provide education and skills to support employability.
Success
The Criminal Justice Board, which became a statutory board in 2024, will establish baselines within the first year and set targets across prevention, rehabilitation, appropriate response, and new ways of working.
Key measures include reducing reoffending rates, reducing the number of prisoners with unmanaged mental health issues at discharge, and reducing the number of days from a crime being reported to charge.
The Criminal Justice Board’s Report 2024-2026 sets out achievements since the board’s formation, including progress on the Sexual Assault Referral Centre, which supports victims and collects evidence “to help bring perpetrators of sexual violence, particularly against women and girls, to justice”.
Mrs Poole-Wilson added: “The next decade must be about turning that progress into lasting outcomes: preventing crime where we can, supporting victims, helping people avoid offending or re-offending, and making sure the system is fair, effective and trusted.
“The Criminal Justice Board has an important role in bringing partners together and holding the system to account. Bringing the suite of documents before Tynwald shows the progress made, the challenges ahead and the vision for the future.”