The Ministry of Justice is spending nearly £2 million annually on a unit dedicated to examining racial disparities within the prison and probation system, drawing criticism from Conservative figures who argue the funds could be better used elsewhere. The so-called disparities unit, staffed by around 20 full-time employees, is tasked with supporting oversight of diversity and inclusion efforts across Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service.
Nick Timothy, the Conservative justice spokesman, condemned the budget, saying the £1.7 million yearly expenditure should be redirected toward expanding prison capacity amid concerns over crime and early prisoner releases. Timothy criticized the unit’s focus on equality and diversity issues, stating that prisons should prioritize punishment and public safety rather than social agenda initiatives. He also referred to Labour’s ongoing early release scheme, which he claims frees tens of thousands of criminals prematurely, arguing that the Conservatives are the only party with a plan to build 50,000 new prison places to address overcrowding and counteract early releases.
The disparities unit was renamed and expanded in October 2024, with the changes coming into effect in January 2025. The unit operates from the Ministry of Justice headquarters and currently advertises roles such as disparities analyst, offering salaries up to £53,081. Job postings emphasize a commitment to addressing systemic issues within the justice system through diversity and inclusion work.
In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for the Prison Service noted that the unit’s budget accounts for less than 0.1% of the overall prison service expenditure and highlighted the unit’s role in supporting staff across the prison estate.
The debate emerges amid scrutiny of Labour’s early release scheme that began this month. Official figures indicate the program, initially allowing those serving sentences up to 19 months to be released early, is set to extend eligibility periodically until June 2025, when prisoners serving sentences of 12 years or more will qualify. Early stages of the program saw approximately 700 offenders released in England and Wales, with plans to release up to 50,000 prisoners annually under the expanded scheme.
Downing Street has faced criticism for its reluctance to disclose comprehensive data on the number of offenders released under the program, prompting allegations of a cover-up. The current scheme follows a similar early release initiative started two years ago, which reportedly resulted in the release of around 70,000 offenders.
Prisons and Probation Minister Catherine McKinnell confirmed the size of the disparities unit over the past year but did not specify whether related spending had increased or decreased. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over the role of diversity and equality efforts within the criminal justice system amid broader debates about public spending priorities and criminal justice policies.