The government says adult male prisons have seen an 'acute and sudden increase' in populations.
The government has asked to use 400 police cells to relieve pressures on the prison service
Speaking in the Commons, Damian Hinds said the overcrowding was partly due to a backlog of outstanding court cases.Mr Hinds said the overcrowding issue was limited to male prisons and there was "ample" space in women's and youth prisons. The government had written to the National Police Chiefs to request the temporary use of police cells, Mr Hinds said.
Responding to Mr Hinds in the Commons, Labour's Ms Reeves said problems in the prison service were a "failure on law and order" and "another crisis created by this shambolic Tory government". He also suggested there could be reason to reconsider whether it was "appropriate" to hold non-violent offenders in custody.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Prisoners could be held in police cells to cut overcrowdingThe government says adult male prisons have seen an 'acute and sudden increase' in populations.
Read more »
Government needs emergency prison space and asks police to use 400 cellsThe Ministry of Justice is requesting the emergency use of 400 police cells after running out of prison places.
Read more »
Carlisle Castle prisoners' carvings are restoredExperts say the carvings - in a tiny room - can now be seen the clearest they have for generations.
Read more »
Prisons completely full as overcrowding forces Govt to ask police to borrow their cellsPrisons are full and 'sudden' overcrowding has forced the Government to ask police to use their cells to hold inmates, it has emerged.
Read more »
Government running out of prison places and has to ask police for 400 cellsThe government has run out of prison places and has had to ask police to use their cells to make up for the shortfall
Read more »