Near Breaking Point: England and Wales Male Prisons With Only 100 Spaces Left Amid Arrest Surge

Available spots in male prisons are nearly exhausted, with only 100 places remaining following a spike in detentions during the Bank Holiday weekend, according to sources at Sky News.

By Tim Baker and Jennifer Scott, political correspondents

Tuesday, August 27, 2024, 5:

Sky News has learned that male prisons in England and Wales are nearing full capacity, with only 100 spaces remaining.

According to the Telegraph, this number represents the closest the system has come to reaching its capacity due to the continuing crisis in the sector.

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Officials indicated that they had anticipated a shortage of available spaces during the bank holiday weekend, attributing it to the occurrence of major events including festivals and soccer games.

Even though judicial proceedings can occur on a Bank Holiday Monday, inmates cannot be freed until Tuesday, leading to an accumulation of detainees.

The glaring number highlights the challenges that the new administration faces in addressing the shortfall of spaces.

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The Labour Party has consistently charged the Conservative Party with failing to properly manage the justice system, claiming that this oversight has left prisons dangerously close to exceeding their capacity.

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Following his appointment as prime minister earlier in the summer, Sir Keir Starmer approved proposals allowing certain inmates to be released after completing 40% of their sentence, as opposed to the standard 50%. This new policy is set to be implemented on September 10.

Following the protests in Southport, the Ministry of Justice initiated Operation Early Dawn, which permits suspects awaiting trial to be detained in police cells for extended periods until court facilities become available.

The happenings of the weekend, such as the Notting Hill Carnival, have brought us nearer to reaching full capacity.

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On Tuesday, Sir Keir expressed his astonishment, stating, "It was truly shocking to learn the complete scope of the issues created by [the Conservatives] in our prison system, and resolving them will take time."

"I won't be able to construct a jail by this Saturday. However, we're addressing the issue and have implemented the required steps to manage the chaos effectively."

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Discussing the summer riots, he said, "I shouldn't have to be in the COBRA room every day with a list of available prison spots, figuring out how to manage the unrest."

"That's the situation I found myself in, and honestly, it's just not acceptable."

As of the start of 2023, the majority of male correctional facilities in England and Wales have been operating at over 99% capacity, according to data from the Ministry of Justice.

The former Conservative administration initiated a program in October that permitted the early release of inmates, aiming to alleviate overcrowding by allowing some prisoners to be released up to 70 days prior to their scheduled release date.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice stated, "The current administration took over a justice system that was in turmoil, compelling them to make tough, yet essential decisions to continue incarcerating high-risk offenders and safeguard the community."

"Employees throughout the entire criminal justice system are exerting tremendous effort, and the government will maintain its support for them until the new policies are implemented on September 10."

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