Prison Space Crisis: Will New Plans Really Solve the Overcrowding Dilemma?
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood warns that prison space may run out in just three years, despite ambitious expansion plans to add 14,000 new places.
Prison, Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, UK, Overcrowding, Super-prisons, Budget
London: So, it turns out that even with plans to build more prisons, the UK might run out of space in just three years. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood spilled the beans on this during a recent interview.
She mentioned that simply building new facilities isn’t enough to tackle the growing number of inmates. The government has a 10-year strategy that includes constructing four super-prisons and refurbishing existing ones, but it seems like a drop in the bucket.
According to projections, by November 2027, the number of prisoners could exceed available spaces. By 2032, there could be 5,000 more inmates than spots to house them. Yikes!
Mahmood emphasized that the demand for prison space is rising faster than they can keep up. To address this, she’s looking into alternatives to incarceration, like monitoring offenders outside of prison.
They’re considering using technology like GPS tags and smart devices to keep tabs on those serving their sentences outside. It’s a bit like house arrest but with a modern twist.
She also pointed out that the current prison conditions are pretty dire, with many inmates coming out worse than when they went in. The goal is to change that and improve the system.
With £2.3 billion allocated for new prisons and another £500 million for maintenance, the government is trying to get a handle on the situation. But with past promises falling short, it’s clear there’s a long way to go.
Planning laws are also set to change, allowing the government to push through new prison projects more easily, even if local communities object. It’s a tough situation, and many are left wondering what the future holds for the UK’s prison system.