Prison and probation are rarely out of the news for long. On this page we round up the latest genuine stories from the national press, TV and radio that matter to prisoners, their families, and victims of crime – things like sentencing policy, prison conditions, early release, and the wider justice system.
Each story below is a short, plain-English summary with a link to the original report, so you can read the full thing and make your own mind up. These links aren’t amended or censored in any way, and the views expressed in them are neither endorsed nor denied by DoingTime – you have to make your own mind up!
This page updates automatically, with the newest story added to the top of the list below. We show the seven most recent stories – older ones drop off this list but stay live on the site if you’ve been sent a direct link.
| Domestic abuse to be formally recorded on court records for the first time – From 5 October, courts in England and Wales must formally record when domestic abuse was a factor in an offence, creating a shared flag for police, probation and prison staff. 11 October 2026 | Drugs delivered by drone are ‘destabilising’ HMP Highpoint, inspectors find – A watchdog report finds drug tests, violence and use of force rising sharply at the Suffolk prison, with drones now the main way drugs get in. 8 October 2026 |
| First wave of early release scheme sees around 700 prisoners freed – Around 700 prisoners were freed on 1 October as an expanded early release scheme began, with roughly 5,000 releases expected over the next year. 1 October 2026 | Youth custody standards remain ‘woeful’, Chief Inspector warns – A new HM Inspectorate of Prisons report finds many children still feel unsafe in youth custody, with one setting placed under Urgent Notification. 22 September 2026 |
| Lancashire prison to gain 240 extra places – HMP Lancaster Farms is getting four new houseblocks, boosting capacity from 584 to 824 places. 14 September 2026 | Prison expansion brings new cells and jobs to the North East – Construction begins on 152 new places at HMP Kirklevington Grange near Yarm. 14 September 2026 |
| Martin Jones reappointed as HM Chief Inspector of Probation – Martin Jones will serve a second three-year term inspecting probation and youth justice services. 8 September 2026 |