More cells being built within prisons to help tackle overcrowding
The UK government is investing £110 million to convert existing prison spaces into new cells to address severe overcrowding in England and Wales. This move is part of a broader strategy to manage prison capacity while implementing sentencing reforms.
Why it matters
The prison capacity crisis is a significant domestic policy issue impacting public safety and the justice system's functionality.
Image source, Getty Images By Ella Kipling Published 16 minutes ago The government is spending £110m on creating more cells in existing prisons in England and Wales as part of its plans to tackle overcrowding.
The money, which has been "fast-tracked from existing budgets", will be used to speed up the construction of hundreds of new prison places, the Ministry of Justice has said.
Existing space within prisons, such as unused office space, laundry rooms and storage areas, will be converted into cells.
The announcement comes at a time of crisis for the prison system, which is close to maximum capacity, with the government being criticised for its handling of an early release scheme.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Alex Norris said the government would be "getting spades in the ground quicker to deliver thousands more places to lock up dangerous criminals and keep the public safe".
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