Available prison cells for adult males in the UK have dropped significantly, according to Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Speaking at the annual judges’ dinner at Mansion House, she revealed that when she became Lord Chancellor in the summer, prisons were on the brink of running out of space entirely. Consequently, she made the decision to release some prisoners early as a measure to alleviate the overcrowding crisis.
With approximately 1,100 inmates set to be released in a second wave of early releases under the Government’s initiative to free up space in prisons, Mahmood highlighted the severity of the situation. She emphasised that the prison system was not just in crisis but was dangerously close to collapsing, with the remaining available spots for adult male prisoners dropping into double digits at one point.
The urgency of the early release strategy became evident in light of the disorder following the Southport stabbings in July, as mentioned by Mahmood. Despite criticisms and anger from the public, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman clarified that there was no alternative to taking action to prevent a complete breakdown of the system.
News emerged on Tuesday that the Government plans to extend the maximum period for eligible offenders under house arrest from six months to 12 months. Mahmood also announced intentions to address the rising number of recalls of offenders released on licence or parole for violating probation terms.
Moreover, there will be a focus on accelerating the deportation of foreign nationals instead of detaining them within the UK. A review into sentencing is underway, exploring alternative punishments outside of prison, with considerations for technological advancements like monitoring devices used in other countries.
The Government’s commitment to create an additional 14,000 prison spaces reflects the ongoing challenge of a growing prison population, increasing by 4,500 individuals every year. With former justice secretary David Gauke chairing the review panel, exploration of community alternatives, fines, and innovative approaches to supervision aims to reshape the criminal justice landscape while addressing prolific offending and crimes against vulnerable groups.
In response to the evolving needs and constraints within the justice system, it is clear that a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach is essential to navigate the complex issues surrounding prison capacity, sentencing practices, and offender rehabilitation in the UK.