June 11, 2025
Independent Spending and Sentencing Review 2025
Bounce Back welcomes the government’s continued investment in the justice system as outlined in the 2025 Spending Review and the Independent Sentencing Review. As a charity and social enterprise that works in close partnership with the police, probation, prisons, and employers, we share a common goal: to reduce reoffending and support individuals to lead productive, positive lives.
We are particularly encouraged by the Review’s recognition that early intervention and prevention must play a central role in tackling crime and relieving pressure on the justice system. These principles are at the heart of our work — especially through our multi-award-winning DIVERT programme, which offers support to young people at the point of police contact, helping to prevent first-time offending and reoffending through access to training, education, and employment.
Supporting Reform with Long-Term Impact
We welcome the government’s commitment to:
- Sentencing reform that promotes crime reduction as a core principle.
- Additional funding for probation services, courts, and alternatives to custody.
- Increased recognition of housing, support, and employment as key elements in preventing recall and enabling successful rehabilitation.
As the Review rightly states, “reducing the number of people entering the criminal justice system will have the most impact on capacity issues.” Bounce Back stands ready to support this aim by continuing to deliver effective, person-centred interventions both in custody and the community. Our work shows that with targeted support and long-term pathways into employment, individuals can break the cycle of offending — and prevent others from entering the system in the first place.
Custody and Community-Based Solutions
We recognise the importance of prison capacity and frontline policing in ensuring public safety. At the same time, we urge continued investment in rehabilitation, prevention, and re-integration — especially in light of the growing prison population and the increasing complexity of needs among those in the justice system.
In particular, we see potential in aligning current reforms with:
- Community-based sentences that come with practical, wraparound support.
- Innovative uses of technology, such as electronic monitoring, used alongside tailored engagement plans.
- Specialist orders or interventions for those at risk of exploitation or reoffending — such as the DIVERT App model, which enables police officers to refer young people to support without criminalising them further.
Moving Forward, Together
We are pleased to see a growing recognition across government that reducing reoffending is not simply a matter of enforcement — it requires a collaborative, cross-sector approach that addresses the root causes of crime.
At Bounce Back, we look forward to continuing our partnership with the Ministry of Justice, the Metropolitan Police, and local authorities, contributing to a system that is effective for the people it serves and for the public it protects.
