Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Prison Capacity

Tuesday 11 March 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Prison capacity is being expanded through the opening of HMP Millsike with 1500 places.
  • HMP Highpoint in Leicestershire has secured full planning permission for a new prison.
  • The system is undergoing a comprehensive review to address issues like court logjams and remand prisoner management.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lewis Atkinson Lab Sunderland Central
Justice & Courts
Context

The prison system faces a capacity crisis, with persistent offenders not feeling the deterrent effect of custody due to lack of available space.

Question

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.

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Sir Nicholas Dakin)

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.

Answered
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Q2 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Justice & Courts
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.

Question

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.

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Sir Nicholas Dakin)

We are conducting a comprehensive system relook. The Member is correct to highlight this issue, and we will address it and resolve the problem.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about sentencing review or Leveson review

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