9. What Is to Be Done?

Significant flaws in the penal policy promulgated in the 2015–2021 period are identified in the previous chapters of this book and they are shown to have led to the exacerbation of the penal crisis. Progressive change of the penal system cannot be achieved without reference to social reform and so this chapter is concerned with the defects necessarily associated with neo-liberal ideology and practice and suggests an alternative social form. A democratic mechanism for re-modelling of the penal system is also suggested based on both a one-off, fundamental, root and branch review of penal policy by a parliamentary commission of inquiry, and the appointment of a standing advisory body on penal affairs, to provide on-going, evidence-informed guidance for government, backed by legislation, based on Lammy’s principle of ‘explain or reform’.