What do Britons really want from criminal justice reform?

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Britons have had enough.

0%

say the criminal justice system needs major changes

0 in 10

victims trust the justice system

0%

say prison makes reoffending more likely or no different

So what kind of change do Britons want?

Where do Britons sit on the spectrum?

Prioritise punishment Prioritise rehabilitation
0%
Strongly favour punishment
0%
In the middle
0%
Favour rehabilitation

Course Correction · Common Ground Justice Project & More in Common, 2025

What should the criminal justice system prioritise?

% selecting each priority (up to 3 choices) — click a segment to explore different views and watch priorities shift

The national picture: Britons across all segments broadly agree on accountability and proportionality, but differ sharply on rehabilitation and early intervention.
0%10%20%30%40%50%

Source: Common Ground Justice Project & More in Common, national poll Feb–Mar 2025 (n=1,998 GB adults). Full data: moreincommon.org.uk · Report: commongroundjustice.uk