The UK government is investing £110 million to increase the number of prison cells in England and Wales, aiming to alleviate overcrowding.
The funding, drawn from existing budgets, will expedite the construction of hundreds of new prison places by repurposing unused spaces within current facilities, such as offices, laundry rooms, and storage areas, according to the Ministry of Justice.
This initiative comes as the prison system faces significant pressure and operates near maximum capacity. The Ministry of Justice has stated that the investment is part of a broader £7 billion capital allocation announced in the 2025 spending review, which aims to create 14,000 prison places by 2031.
Justice Secretary Alex Norris emphasized the government's commitment to addressing issues within the prison system, noting that over 3,200 prison places have already been delivered in the past two years. He stated that the current funding would accelerate efforts to house offenders and enhance public safety. The Lord Chancellor is also set to update Parliament on upcoming sentencing reforms designed to prevent early release for hundreds of dangerous offenders. Additional measures include plans for quicker removal of foreign national offenders and addressing Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences.
Opposition figures have criticized the government's approach. Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy described claims of a "prison building boom" as misleading, pointing to a reported decrease in prison places compared to the previous year and concerns about the release of prisoners.
In parallel, the Ministry of Justice announced an additional £18.9 million for victim support services, also reprioritized from existing budgets. This funding is in addition to the £550 million already allocated for such services.
The Ministry of Justice also confirmed the signing of a contract to begin construction of a new prison in Lancashire designed to accommodate 1,700 inmates.