Prison Capacity 2025-03-11
2025-03-11
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The prison system faces a capacity crisis, with persistent offenders not feeling the deterrent effect of custody due to lack of available space.
What steps her Department is taking to increase prison capacity. The prison capacity crisis has resulted in persistent offenders not feeling deterred by the lack of realistic custody options due to insufficient availability.
We are actively expanding prison capacity. HMP Millsike, the UK’s first all-electric prison, will open soon and deliver 1,500 places. The Prisons Minister recently attended a groundbreaking ceremony at HMP Highpoint in Leicestershire, where full planning permission has been secured for a new prison, and outline planning permission is in place for another prison in Buckinghamshire.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The increase in prisoner numbers is often due to delays within the Crown court system, with many on remand who are then convicted and released without rehabilitation or mentoring opportunities.
Does that form part of the sentencing review or the Leveson review? The Minister will know that an increase in prisoners is often because of logjams within the Crown court system, leading to too many individuals being held on remand who are then convicted and released without rehabilitation or mentoring opportunities.
We are conducting a comprehensive system relook. The Member is correct to highlight this issue, and we will address it and resolve the problem.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details about sentencing review or Leveson review
Response accuracy