There are 85,000 people in prison in and and estimates put the proportion who have previously served in the armed forces at anywhere between 5% and 10%. This means that at any one time some 4,000 to 8,300 prisoners have served in the armed forces. The vast majority are male. Soldiers comprise by far the largest occupational group in the prison system. 

The Howard League for Penal Reform has launched an independent inquiry into former armed service personnel in prison.

The inquiry will seek to discover the reasons why veterans enter the penal system, investigate how former armed service personnel can be given appropriate support to prevent offending and look for good practice and new ideas. The most important part of the inquiry will be interviewing prisoners to hear their stories and learn the lessons from what they tell us.

It is widely known that many former armed service personnel face difficulties when returning to the community as a civilian. It is vital that the complex needs of armed forces personnel are adequately addressed and that we do everything we can to help those who serve their country adjust to civilian life. 

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