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Prison Capacity Annual Statement 2026-01-29
29 January 2026
Lead MP
Jake Richards
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Justice & CourtsTaxation
Other Contributors: 25
At a Glance
Jake Richards raised concerns about prison capacity annual statement 2026-01-29 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Government are publishing the second annual statement on prison capacity, reflecting their determination to be open and honest about the state of the justice system. They inherited a prison system under severe strain with fewer than 100 places left across the entire adult male estate in 2024. Without government action, there would have been a total collapse of law and order. The statement sets out prison population projections and supply forecasts showing that without this Government's landmark sentencing reforms, supply is now expected to keep pace with demand. However, the system remains under considerable pressure, necessitating decisive emergency actions like changing release points for certain sentences from 50% to 40%, setting a £7 billion 10-year prison capacity strategy for up to 14,000 additional places by 2031, and delivering sentencing reforms via the Sentencing Act 2026.
Jake Richards
Lab
Constituency Unknown
The Government have delivered around 2,900 additional prison places since July 2024, with over 5,000 more under construction. They are investing up to £7 billion towards the delivery of 14,000 additional prison places by 2031. The sentencing reforms will ensure that punishment works to cut crime and protect the public, including a presumption in favour of suspending short custodial sentences for less serious offenders, which is expected to reduce reoffending rates significantly. Additionally, probation service capacity is being strengthened with an investment of up to £700 million by the end of the Parliament.
Nick Timothy
Con
West Suffolk
While supporting plans to increase prison capacity, Nick Timothy criticises the government for taking credit for prisons set up and funded before their election. He points out that no new prisons have been planned or approved since July 2024. The Minister's claim of creating significant prison places is dismissed as nonsense.
Jake Richards
Lab
Bury North
Minister of State for Justice emphasised Labour's progress on sentencing reforms, deportation processes, and prison construction, dismissing criticisms about delays and officer numbers.
Conservative MP questioned the effectiveness of current policies, calling for stricter measures against foreign criminals and challenging the government’s stance on sentencing.
Andy Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Asked about reducing prison populations through rehabilitation efforts, education cuts, and reforms to indeterminate sentences for public protection. Highlighted concerns over rising numbers of recalled offenders.
Chichester
Welcomed provisions in the Sentencing Act but raised concerns about female prisoners serving short-term sentences, timelines for new land acquisition and prison builds, retention of probation officers, and cuts to education budgets.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Liverpool Riverside
Supports comments on reducing prison capacity by reforming joint enterprise laws so only those who make a significant contribution to a crime are convicted. Cites the issue leading to multiple people serving mandatory life sentences.
Acknowledges complexity of issues raised and agrees to meet Kim Johnson to discuss them further. Emphasises support for third sector and private sector involvement in prison education provision.
Ashley Fox
Con
Bridgwater
Questions the reduction in prison education budget by 25% despite increased prices, suggests decentralizing budgets to prison governors could reduce costs. Asks how good behaviour will be defined for prisoner release.
Sympathetic towards arguments made and states plans to involve third sector and private sector wherever possible, referencing the Texas model as a successful reform example.
Sally Jameson
Lab/Co-op
Doncaster Central
Backs up Minister's statement in response to shadow Justice Minister, emphasising the need for action beyond words. Requests meeting with Minister to discuss increasing safety for prison staff and introduces issue of care leavers overrepresentation in prisons.
Welcomes Sally Jameson's comments on PAVA introduction and reiterates no change plans despite High Court judgment. Will meet to discuss care leavers strategy with her.
Vikki Slade
LD
Mid Dorset and North Poole
Raises concerns about remand population, suggesting curfews and tags as an alternative to prison for non-risk individuals on remand. Asks Minister to look into this option.
Acknowledges independence of judiciary in deciding cases but agrees backlog in Crown courts is a fundamental issue needing legislative solutions.
Lloyd Hatton
Lab
South Dorset
Requests Minister's support to keep Jailhouse Café, a rehabilitation initiative on Portland, open by finding financial solution for repairs and securing long-term occupancy agreement.
Agrees to meet Lloyd Hatton and work with Expia to find practical solutions supporting the café’s reopening.
Mark Pritchard
Con
The Wrekin
Questions Minister's stance on shoplifting, citing it as a crime against property owners. Emphasises need for credible punishments including custodial sentences for serious offenders.
Acknowledges importance of prosecuting shoplifting and emphasises the role of short-term sentencing in cases such as domestic abuse or for prolific offenders.
Tessa Munt
LD
Wells and Mendip Hills
Questions figures on prison capacity impacted by fire safety concerns. Requests updated modelling from Leveson review to be shared with Justice Committee.
Agrees to write details about fire safety impacts and will provide updated modelling as part of upcoming legislation for the Justice Committee's reference.
Ben Obese-Jecty
Con
Huntingdon
Asks about remaining capacity in category A prisons. Requests confirmation on 12 prison projects recommenced by a new contractor after ISG Construction Ltd went into administration.
Promises to write details regarding the status of construction projects, confirms ongoing workstream within Department for high-security prison future.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Raises concern about rehabilitation aspect being missed in rush to free up space. Cites higher reoffending rates among those serving short sentences in Northern Ireland.
Acknowledges urgency of freeing up prison capacity, emphasising the potential collapse of criminal justice system without immediate action.
The Member for Doncaster
Speaker's Name
This Government are absolutely committed to rehabilitation —that is a thread throughout the Sentencing Act, which has just received Royal Assent. Thinking about my diary over the next few weeks, I am going to visit a literacy project in Doncaster and colleges that are linking up with prisons. We have to look at this issue creatively and holistically to make sure we have the services and resources in our prisons to offer educational and work programmes.
Government Response
Defended the government’s record on prison building against Conservative criticism. Acknowledged challenges with foreign national offenders and short-term sentences for women. Emphasised ongoing work to increase probation officers, improve retention, and secure new land for future builds. The minister's speech includes acknowledging fiscal pressure in the justice system, focusing on solving the prison capacity crisis and court backlog, while supporting educational provision in prisons. He also agrees to meet with various MPs to discuss specific issues and solutions. As I said to the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, the hon. Member for Chichester (Jess Brown-Fuller), there is no point pretending that there are not fiscal pressures in the criminal justice system at the moment. There are, and we have to think a bit creatively and work with partners to overcome those pressures.
Shadow Response
Nick Timothy
Shadow Response
The shadow Justice Secretary criticises the government for taking credit for prisons set up and funded by the previous administration. He questions the Minister's claim about creating significant prison places since their election, suggesting it is nonsense.
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Assessment & feedback
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