Justice Secretary Warns of ‘Unchecked Criminality’ Amid Calls for Urgent Prison Reform to Prevent Looting and Overcrowding

Early inmate release: Concerns over potential theft and rampant lawlessness if overcrowding in prisons isn't addressed

Today, Justice Secretary Shabanah Mahmood will express that significant actions are required to address issues in the criminal justice system. There are existing provisions for the early discharge of certain inmates, yet the incoming Labour administration anticipates expanding these measures.

By Mollie Malone, Correspondent for Sky

Friday, July 12, 2024, 2:

Concerns are mounting that if steps are not taken to address the issue of excessive numbers of inmates in prisons throughout England and Wales, it could result in a collapse of public safety and potential looting.

Today, Justice Secretary Shabanah Mahmood is set to alert that the justice system is teetering on the edge of a complete breakdown, posing a threat of rampant crime in public areas, according to the Ministry of Justice.

A high-ranking police official has cautioned that a potential overflow of the current prisons crisis into law enforcement could create an "unbearable" scenario that might influence criminal activities.

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When there are no available prison cells, detainees are often held in police station facilities.

There are worries that the overcrowding in prisons might embolden criminals to engage in atypical criminal activities, like looting.

"The source cautioned that this would place us in an extremely grave and unprecedented situation, which must be avoided by any means necessary."

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Presently, there are less than 700 openings within the men's correctional facilities in England and Wales.

To ensure optimal functioning, the prison service prefers to maintain at least twice the minimum required buffer, totaling 1,425 spaces.

The source expressed: "Without any action, I would be extremely concerned professionally by the August bank holiday."

The proposal involves allowing certain inmates to be eligible for release after completing 40% of their sentence instead of the current threshold of 50%.

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After release, they continue to serve their sentence under supervision.

A reduction in the threshold for automatic release might lead to the early release of thousands more prisoners, with Sir Keir Starmer not denying claims that as many as 20,000 could be released over several months.

The administration is anticipated to present the effects and trajectory of a disputed program that permits early prisoner release, which was initiated in October by the previous government.

This enables specific offenders to be released up to 70 days prior to the completion of their sentence.

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The Ministry of Justice has announced that Ms. Mahmood is scheduled to tour HMP Bedford and HMP Five Wells this Friday. Both facilities, dating back to the Victorian era, will be inspected by Ms. Mahmood to personally assess the severe overcrowding issues they face.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Justice, she will outline how a shortage of prison spaces could quickly lead to the use of police cells, compel courts to postpone trials, and prevent police from detaining high-risk criminals, thereby exposing the public to increased criminal activity.

Her strategy will "explain the urgency of taking immediate measures to rescue the criminal justice system from the verge of complete failure."

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The correctional services are worried that operating under such tight capacity limits is making them susceptible to unexpected disruptions.

A source stated: "These disruptions can range from major, well-known incidents, such as the 2011 civil unrest or a prison uprising, to more commonplace issues like a bedbug infestation that necessitates the closure of a wing. We are extremely susceptible to such disturbances at this scale."

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