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Record prison population

01 November 2003

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The UK prison population currently stands at a record high of 74,389, a rise of 1,680 in a year. A further 1,420 places are being opened at seven jails next year and new prisons will open at Ashford, Middlesex and Peterborough in 2005. The government clearly intends to carry on with its policy of encouragring the courts to hand out more custodial sentences, despite opposition from prison reformers, prison governors and some senior Prison Service officials. The Home Office future investment strategy includes plans for the purchase of two sites to accommodate "super size" jails housing prison populations of 1,500 and 600-space jails on sites next to HMP Belmarsh in south east London and at Ashworth, Merseyside. In total, the Home Office intends to bid for Treasury funding for a further 5,400 new prison places. Harry Fletcher, assistant general secretary of NAPO has said "The case for additional funding to pay for community penalties for those serving short sentences is overwhelming, but in the absence of any Treasury support, a moratorium of prison-building seems essential to free the necessary funds."

Independent 17.11.03

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