Justice in numbers
The figures below represent a snapshot of the latest published data and comparisons to previous periods. The relevant links to time series provide a more complete view of these figures over a longer period of time as well as links to source material where additional context and caveats can be found to aid interpretation.
Where a direction arrow is shown, this indicates an increase or decrease in the latest value of a measure when compared with the previous period of data.
Crime figures from Crime Survey of England and Wales
10.2 million
Value for 2019/20. View time series.
Down 1.0 million from 2018/19
Police recorded crime in England and Wales
6.3 million
Value for 2021/22. View time series.
Up 0.9 million from 2020/21
Proven reoffending rate
24.3%
Value for Jan - Mar 2021. View time series.
Up 1.2ppt from Oct - Dec 2020
Tribunals disposals - overall
265,628
Value for 2020/21. View time series.
Down 113,001 from 2019/20
Where a direction arrow is shown, this indicates an increase or decrease in the latest value of a measure when compared with the previous period of data.
Prison first receptions (quarterly)
15,817
Value for Jul-Sep 2022. View time series.
Down 127 from Apr-Jun 2022
Prison population by sex
| Male | 78,699 prisoners |
|---|---|
| Female | 3,107 prisoners |
Values for 31 Dec 2022. View breakdown
Prison releases (quarterly)
11,650
Value for Jul-Sep 2022. View time series.
Up 172 from Apr-Jun 2022
Individuals released on temporary licence
4,257
Value for Jul-Sep 2022. View time series.
Up 130 from Apr-Jun 2022
Prison type - male / female
| Male | 106 prisons |
|---|---|
| Female | 12 prisons |
| Under 18 | 4 prisons |
Values for August 2022. View breakdown
Prison type - public / private
| Public sector | 107 prisons |
|---|---|
| Private sector (contracted) | 15 prisons |
Values for August 2022. View breakdown
Prisoners held in crowded accommodation
20.6 %
Value for 2021-22. View time series.
Up 0.4ppt from 2020-21
Prisoner on prisoner assaults per 1,000 prisoners
163
Value for 2021-22. View time series.
Up 23 from 2020-21
Positive random mandatory drug tests (traditional)
10.5 %
Value for 2019-20. View time series.
Up 0.1ppt from 2018-19
Barricade or prevention of access incidents
1,273
Value for 2021-22. View time series.
Up 56 from 2020-21
Escapes from prison establishments and HMPPS escort
1
Value for 2021-22. View time series.
Up 1 from 2020-21
Where a direction arrow is shown, this indicates an increase or decrease in the latest value of a measure when compared with the previous period of data.
Proven reoffending rate
24.3%
Value for Jan - Mar 2021. View time series.
Up 1.2ppt from Oct - Dec 2020
Housed on release from custody
77.6%
Value for Jan-Mar 2022 . View time series.
Up 1.2ppt from Oct-Dec 2021
Settled accommodation at 3 months post release
71.0%
Value for Jan-Mar 2022 . View time series.
Up 3.1ppt from Oct-Dec 2021
Settled accommodation at 3 months post community disposal
80.8%
Value for Jan-Mar 2022 . View time series.
Up 2.1ppt from Oct-Dec 2021
Employed at 6 weeks post release from custody
12.7%
Value for Jan-Mar 2022 . View time series.
Up 0.8ppt from Oct-Dec 2021
Employed at 6 months post release
19.8%
Value for Jan-Mar 2022 . View time series.
Up 3.2ppt from Oct-Dec 2021
Employed at 6 months post community disposal
38.9%
Value for Jan-Mar 2022 . View time series.
Up 2.7ppt from Oct-Dec 2021
Positive random mandatory drug tests (traditional)
10.5 %
Value for 2019-20. View time series.
Up 0.1ppt from 2018-19
Positive random mandatory drug tests for new psychoactive substances
4.3 %
Value for 2019-20. View time series.
Down 4.7ppt from 2018-19
Prisoners completing treatment free from dependence
32.5%
Value for 2020-21. View time series.
Up 6.2ppt from 2019-20
Where a direction arrow is shown, this indicates an increase or decrease in the latest value of a measure when compared with the previous period of data.
Mean days from receipt at Crown Court to completion
224
Value for Jul-Sep 2022. View time series.
Down 5 days from Apr-Jun 2022
Number of receipts of adult rape cases at the Crown Court
467
Value for Jul-Sep 2022. View time series.
Up 14 from Apr-Jun 2022
Tribunals disposals - overall
265,628
Value for 2020/21. View time series.
Down 113,001 from 2019/20
Legal aid - overall annual expenditure (£m)
1,634 (£m)
Value for 2021-22. View time series.
Up 291 (£m) from 2020-21
Criminal justice system statistics
Measures covering the wider criminal justice system. Includes trends in the use of out of court disposals, defendants prosecuted, offenders convicted, and sentencing decisions in England and Wales.
Prisons data
The government is reforming the way prisons work in order to improve how they protect the public, keep staff and prisoners safe, and turn from crime. To do this we are holding prison governors to account for improvements in the following areas:
- protecting the public;
- maintaining safety and order;
- reforming offenders to prevent more crimes from being committed; and
- preparing prisoners for life outside the prison.
Probation data
On 26th June 2021 the privatised probation services (the Community Rehabilitation Companies) were returned to public control, and absorbed into the newly named "Probation Service". The unified Probation Service is now responsible for managing all those on a court order or licence following their release from prison in England and Wales. There are now 12 probation regions across England and Wales, introducing 11 new probation regions in England; arrangements in Wales remain unchanged.
The Impacts of COVID-19
Probation acted swiftly in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, adapting systems and processes to rapidly determine the delivery levels possible and mobilising teams to achieve this at pace. This included ensuring face to face contact remained with those people on probation posing the highest risk and introducing new, innovative ways of working to supervise others and to continue to deliver other aspects of probation.
Delivery has continued to adapt in response to restrictions both locally and nationally. The development of Exceptional Delivery Models enabled Regional Probation Directors to take decisions around what services they are able to provide in their regions based on local circumstances, and flex these quickly as the situation changes. The Probation Service has since driven recovery progress forward as quickly as restrictions have allowed, in line with Public Health and Health and Safety guidance. All regions in England and Wales ceased to use their Covid Exceptional Delivery Models on 31st January 2022 and transitioned onto a Prioritisation Framework. This Framework allows Regional Probation Directors to focus on delivering key public protection responsibilities and have flexibility to adjust or pause other delivery areas identified in the framework if needed.
Contracted services
Some services have never been provided directly by the Department and have always been procured. In addition, the Department has renewed and renegotiated a number of contracts for areas of work that were outsourced prior to the creation of the Ministry of Justice. At any one time there are over one hundred procurement projects underway. Some examples of major procurement projects undertaken by the department include but are not limited the following:
- electronic monitoring;
- maintaining bail accommodation support services (BASS); and
- prison escorting and custodial services (PECS).
Courts data
HM Courts & Tribunal Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of the criminal, civil and family courts in England and Wales, tribunals in England, and non-devolved tribunals in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
HMCTS is an executive agency, sponsored bythe Ministry of Justice (MOJ). The Ministry of Justice publishes the official statistics relating to the operation of the criminal and civil justice systems, including courts and tribunals. These are published on a quarterly basis and are the best, most comprehensive figures on this topic for most purposes.
Legal aid data
Legal aid can help meet the costs of legal advice, family mediation and representation in a court or tribunal.
You’ll usually need to show that:
- your case is eligible for legal aid
- the problem is serious
- you cannot afford to pay for legal costs
About
The Ministry of Justice is a major government department, at the heart of the justice system. We work to protect and advance the principles of justice. Our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society.
MOJ is a ministerial department, supported by 33 agencies and public bodies.
The data on this website is updated once a month, in the first week of each month. Updates include all relevant statistics published in the previous month. A complete and up-to-date list of Ministry of Justice statistical publications can be found here.