Reform · Initiatives

Reform initiatives

Concrete laws, programmes, and pilots that have changed (or attempted to change) how a country incarcerates. Each is editorial — we cite primary sources where possible.

All (2)decarceration alternatives rehabilitation abolition conditions juvenile sentencing reentry pre trial detention other

active proposed completed stalled rolled-back

SDS40 emergency early-release scheme
active2024–ongoing
United Kingdom · decarceration
Faced with England & Wales prisons running out of cells in 2024, the new Labour government legislated to release most standard-determinate-sentence prisoners after 40% (rather than 50%) of their term served. The change applies to eligible prisoners across the existing population and to new sentences.
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Decriminalisation of petty offences
active2017–ongoing
Kenya · decarceration
Kenya's High Court struck down 'rogue and vagabond' offences in 2019, which had been used to detain and prosecute people for being poor, unemployed, or out at night. Reform was driven by Kituo cha Sheria and Africa Criminal Justice Reform.
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