Tories pledge to build 50,000 new prison places
The UK Conservative Party has pledged to build 50,000 new prison places to address capacity issues and reduce early releases. The proposal would be funded by spending cuts, including the foreign aid budget, though the Labour government has criticized the plan as non-credible.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing crisis in the UK criminal justice system and the political debate over how to manage prison overcrowding versus public safety.
Image source, Getty Images By Becky Morton Political reporter Published 1 hour ago The Conservatives have promised to build 50,000 new prison places in England and Wales to stop criminals being released early, if they return to government.
The party said it would cost £2bn per year to build and run the new prisons, funded by spending cuts including to the foreign aid budget.
On Thursday hundreds of prisoners were released early , under new rules introduced to prevent jails reaching capacity, with around 4,500 due to be freed by next summer.
Labour blamed the previous Tory government for leaving "our criminal justice system at breaking point" and said the party's proposals were not "credible".
The announcement comes as Conservative members gather for the party's annual conference in Birmingham, which begins on Sunday.
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