The Prison Governors’ Association (PGA), representing 95% of prison governors in England and Wales, is warning political leaders that jails are on the verge of reaching maximum capacity within days, posing a serious risk to public safety. According to the PGA, this critical overcrowding could soon prevent police officers from detaining individuals due to a lack of available space.
In a letter obtained exclusively by News, the PGA states that the entire criminal justice system is facing imminent failure unless immediate action is taken. Current figures from the Ministry of Justice indicate that prisons are holding 87,395 inmates, just shy of the total capacity of 88,778 spaces.
The letter emphasizes the urgency of the situation, asserting that procrastination is not an option. It warns that without additional capacity, spaces in court cells and police custody suites will quickly fill up, jeopardizing efforts to reduce the backlog of cases and effectively halting the functioning of the criminal justice system.
Sources within the Ministry of Justice have disclosed discussions about invoking the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, which would grant ministers powers such as early release of inmates in the event of a large-scale emergency. However, these measures are unlikely to be implemented before the upcoming election, according to sources.
Describing the situation in prisons as dire and deeply troubling, senior officials have acknowledged the severity of the crisis. Last month, the government initiated Operation Early Dawn to alleviate overcrowding pressures, which involved extending the detention of some defendants in police custody or releasing them on bail.
The PGA’s letter calls for immediate legislative changes to ensure all prisoners are routinely released after serving 40% of their sentence, including those currently in custody. Both major political parties, Labour and the Conservatives, have pledged to address the issue by expanding prison capacity if elected.
In response to concerns, a government spokesperson assured that public safety remains a top priority and highlighted ongoing efforts to manage short-term capacity issues within the police and prison services.
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