As the UK’s prison population hits a six-month high, authorities are forced to reuse police cells as temporary holding facilities for detained inmates due to overcrowding. The government has announced plans to build new prisons and increase capacity in an effort to alleviate pressure on the criminal justice system.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed that prisoners will be temporarily held in police cells due to prisons running out of space. ‘We are taking urgent action to address the pressure on our prison estate,’ said a spokesperson for the MoJ.
Operation Safeguard, a measure triggered when prisons are close to capacity, is expected to free up 200 cells for two months, but could be extended depending on the prison population.
Prison overcrowding is a critical issue affecting many countries worldwide.
According to the United Nations, over 10 million people are incarcerated globally, with many prisons operating at more than double their intended capacity.
This leads to inadequate living conditions, increased violence, and reduced access to rehabilitation programs.
In the United States alone, prison populations have risen by 500% since the 1970s, straining resources and exacerbating social problems.
The number of prisoners has reached a six-month high, with 87,556 people currently in custody. The male prison estate operates at over 99% occupancy, according to the MoJ.
This is not the first time Operation Safeguard has been triggered, having been introduced during periods of high demand for prison space in May 2024 and February 2023.
The government hopes that the new prison near York, HMP Millsike, will create 1,500 new spaces and reduce pressure on the criminal justice system. However, the MoJ said there is still space available despite the system being close to full capacity.
The government has outlined a plan to deliver 14,000 more prison places in England and Wales by 2031.
A former Conservative justice secretary, David Gauke, was tasked with leading a sentencing review last year. The expert panel is expected to publish its findings by spring 2025, considering proposals that include scrapping short prison sentences and measures to toughen up community orders as an alternative to jail.
Sentencing reform aims to revise and improve the current sentencing practices in the criminal justice system.
This movement focuses on reducing excessive prison sentences, promoting rehabilitation, and addressing systemic inequalities.
Key reforms include mandatory minimums, truth-in-sentencing laws, and alternatives to incarceration such as community service or treatment programs.
According to a 2020 report by the Sentencing Project, approximately 1 in 5 prisoners are serving life sentences, with racial disparities persisting across jurisdictions.
The Prison Reform Trust has expressed concerns over the wellbeing and safety of prisoners and prison staff, as well as the functionality of the criminal justice system. The charity’s chief executive, Pia Sinha, stated that it will not be possible for the government to build its way out of this crisis, highlighting the need for a sustainable approach to imprisonment.
