Facing a burgeoning prison population and escalating costs, the UK government is turning to major technology firms to develop advanced surveillance systems aimed at monitoring offenders within the community, a move that could redefine the nation's approach to criminal justice.

On May 11, 2025, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood called upon leading technology companies—including Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Google—to assist in creating a "prison outside prison." This initiative seeks to address the chronic issue of prison overcrowding and the high costs associated with incarceration by utilizing technologies such as artificial intelligence, sophisticated electronic tagging, drug and alcohol monitoring devices, and biometric gait recognition systems to track and rehabilitate offenders within the community.

The UK's prison system has been grappling with significant overcrowding issues. As of March 2024, the average prison population in England and Wales was 87,129, with a crowding rate of 23.6%. This represents an increase from the previous year, where the population was 81,822 and the crowding rate was 22.9%. The overcrowding has been exacerbated by several factors, including an 84% rise in the number of people on remand in prison over the last five years, with two-thirds of these prisoners yet to be convicted of any crime. This surge is largely due to a growing backlog of cases in the Crown Court, which had 67,573 cases waiting to be heard by the end of 2023.

In response to the overcrowding crisis, the UK government has implemented several measures. In October 2023, the government allowed prisoners to be released up to 18 days before their automatic release date to free up space. Additionally, the government proposed a presumption that sentences of less than 12 months would be suspended, meaning offenders would not serve time in prison unless they committed further offences or failed to comply with certain conditions. Operation Early Dawn, an emergency measure involving holding offenders in police station cells when prison capacity is under pressure, was first implemented in October 2022 and has been activated during periods of acute overcrowding.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood's recent call to technology firms is part of a broader strategy to manage offenders within the community using advanced technologies. The proposed tools include artificial intelligence systems that could analyze data to predict and monitor offender behavior, sophisticated electronic tags to monitor offenders' locations and ensure compliance with movement restrictions, drug and alcohol monitoring devices to detect substance use, and biometric gait recognition systems to identify individuals based on their walking patterns.

This approach aligns with the anticipated policy shift under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government. A forthcoming review by former Conservative justice secretary David Gauke advocates for reduced sentences and fewer incarcerations, emphasizing rehabilitation over imprisonment.

While the integration of technology offers promising solutions, there are notable challenges. Historically, the UK government has faced difficulties in rolling out large-scale technology projects. Mahmood acknowledged these past failures and emphasized the commitment to learning from previous mistakes to ensure the success of this initiative. The use of advanced surveillance technologies also raises concerns about privacy and the potential for overreach. Ensuring that these systems are used ethically and within legal boundaries will be crucial. The success of this initiative hinges on its ability to rehabilitate offenders effectively. Without proper support systems, there is a risk that monitoring alone may not reduce reoffending rates.

The "prison outside prison" concept represents a significant shift in the UK's approach to criminal justice. Monitoring offenders within the community may alleviate prison overcrowding but could raise concerns among residents about safety and the presence of offenders in their neighborhoods. Implementing and maintaining advanced surveillance systems will require substantial investment. Balancing these costs with other public service needs will be a critical consideration. Establishing clear guidelines and oversight mechanisms will be essential to ensure that the use of technology in monitoring offenders respects individual rights and freedoms.

As the UK government embarks on this ambitious initiative, the collaboration between the public sector and technology firms will be pivotal in shaping a more efficient and rehabilitative criminal justice system.