Why have England and Wales nearly run out of prison spaces?
Al Jazeera
Fewer than 100 spaces remain in men’s prisons, reports say, and magistrates have been told to delay hearings.
Prisons in England and Wales are facing a severe overcrowding crisis amid reports that fewer than 100 spaces remain in men’s prisons.
According to the Ministry of Justice, prisons have been operating at more than 99 percent capacity since the start of 2023.
At the end of last week, the prison population stood at 88,234, up by 341 offenders the previous Friday, according to official figures. On Wednesday, UK media cited the Prison Officers’ Association saying only 83 places remained in men’s prisons.
On Friday last week, magistrates courts in England and Wales, lower courts which handle minor criminal cases, were told to delay the hearings of offenders on bail who are likely to be jailed until at least September 10.
