The countries that could solve the UK prisons crisis

Britain's jails are at breaking point, and ministers are looking overseas for solutions

Man holding his head in his hands in a prison cell
Britain's prisons are predicted to be full again in a few months' time
(Image credit: Bartle_Halpin / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Could Texas hold the answer to Britain's prisons crisis? Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and prison minister James Timpson will visit the US state next month to learn about its points-based scheme for reducing prison times and see if the UK could follow its success, The Times reported.

Under the scheme, prisoners can reduce the time they serve behind bars by earning points for good behaviour and taking part in courses including drug rehabilitation and behavioural change to try and prevent reoffending. Since the policy was introduced in 2007, the number of people behind bars in Texas has fallen from 152,661 to 129,653.

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Elizabeth Carr-Ellis is a freelance journalist and was previously the UK website's Production Editor. She has also held senior roles at The Scotsman, Sunday Herald and Hello!. As well as her writing, she is the creator and co-founder of the Pausitivity #KnowYourMenopause campaign and has appeared on national and international media discussing women's healthcare.