We cannot build our way out of this crisis: Howard League welcomes Public Accounts Committee report on prison estate capacity

The Howard League for Penal Reform has welcomed the Public Accounts Committee’s report on prison estate capacity, published today (Friday 14 March).

The committee’s inquiry concluded that the prison system is in crisis, with overcrowding forcing jails to be focused on averting disaster instead of helping people to move on from crime.

The report notes that the prison population is rising so quickly that jails will run out of room by early 2026, despite the early release of thousands of people.

Prisons are also in disrepair. A quarter of prison places – 23,000 – do not meet fire safety standards. The committee found that it will cost an estimated £2.8bn to bring the estate into a fair condition.

Andrea Coomber KC (Hon.), Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “If someone is sent to prison, the state has a responsibility to ensure that they receive the support they need to move on from crime and make a positive contribution to society.

“But this is not happening, because prisons are overwhelmed. At the end of January, almost 70 prisons in England and Wales were holding more people than they were designed to accommodate, and about 20 more were operating at 95% to 99% capacity. It is no coincidence that violence and self-harm are at endemic levels.

“The government has acknowledged that it cannot build our way out of this crisis. Ultimately, they must reduce demand on a system that has been asked to do too much, with too little, for too long.

“This is why sentencing reform is so urgent, and why the billions earmarked for building new prisons would be better spent on securing an effective and responsive probation service, working to cut crime in the community.”

Notes to editors

1. The Howard League for Penal Reform is the oldest penal reform charity in the world. It is a national charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.
2. The Howard League submitted written evidence to the Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry. The submission can be found here: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/134125/html/
3. The report, Prison estate capacity, will be published on the Public Accounts Committee publications page of the UK Parliament website at 00.01 on Friday 14 March: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/127/public-accounts-committee/publications

Contact

Rob Preece
Communications Manager
Tel: +44 (0)7714 604955
Email: [email protected]

Charity Number: 251926