Police cells to be used to hold prisoners - as jails fill up
- Ministers have enacted Operation Safeguard, which allows prisoners to be held overnight in police cells due to overcrowding in jails.
- The use of police cells will cost the government millions; prior activation of this measure between February and July 2023 cost £30.2 million.
- Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated the prison population has reached a six-month high, prompting the reactivation of Operation Safeguard.
- The government plans to build 14,000 new prison places by 2031 to address long-term overcrowding issues, according to a Ministry of Justice spokesperson.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Prisoners will be held in police cells as UK’s jails close to breaking point
PRISONERS will be held in police cells as Britain’s jails are almost out of space again. The country’s prisons are once again close to breaking point despite thousands of lags being released early last year. GettyJustice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced Operation Safeguard in parliament, which means offenders can be held in police custody[/caption] They are running at more than 99 per cent capacity, with only 824 spaces remaining in the male …
Police cells to be used to hold prisoners as Labour triggers 'emergency measure' in bid to tackle jail overcrowding
Police cells are being repurposed to hold prisoners in an emergency measure to tackle prison overcrowding, Labour has announced.With jails once again close to filling up entirely, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed to GB News that "Operation Safeguard" will be activated for the second time in less than a year.It was last used in May 2024 - and despite Labour's controversial early release scheme last year, there are fewer than 800 spaces…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage