Calls are mounting for the United Kingdom to repurpose women's prisons into male-only facilities as a measure to combat a burgeoning prison overcrowding crisis. This suggestion comes in the wake of a decision to pause an early release scheme, sparking concerns about further straining the prison system.
Senior figures from both campaign groups and the Conservative Party have urged the new Prime Minister to consider converting at least one women's prison into a male-only jail. This move is seen as a potential solution to prevent offenders from being released early from their sentences, a prospect that has ignited public outrage. The early release scheme, originally slated to begin on September 2, has been put on hold pending an urgent review by the Prime Minister and the Justice Secretary.
The pause in the early release program threatens to introduce significant complications, as officials now face the task of revising release plans for thousands of inmates. The controversy was amplified by the revelation that two of the killers of PC Andrew Harper were eligible for early release under the paused scheme.
One prominent proposal, put forth by Pia Sinha, chief executive of the Prison Reform Trust, involves transforming HMP Bronzefield, the largest female prison in the country, into a facility exclusively for men. Sinha suggests this conversion could create over 500 additional spaces. Her broader six-point plan to mitigate prison overcrowding also includes releasing mothers with babies and pregnant women from custody. Sinha highlighted that women constitute only about four percent of the prison population, with a significant portion serving sentences for non-violent offenses.
Campaigners point to an approach previously led by Greater Manchester's local authority, which focused on diverting women with lower-level offenses away from incarceration. This strategy emphasized community-based rehabilitation, out-of-court resolutions, and problem-solving courts to address underlying causes of crime such as substance abuse and domestic violence.
Former justice secretary Alex Chalk acknowledged that repurposing women's prisons is a measure "absolutely worth looking at," though he cautioned it is not a comprehensive solution. Mark Fairhurst, chairman of the Prison Officers' Association, also suggested that robust community sentences for non-violent female offenders could free up capacity.
Sir David Gauke, former Tory justice secretary, warned that without the early release scheme, prisons in England and Wales were projected to run out of capacity by November, necessitating emergency interventions. He noted that while there might be spaces available, they are not always in the correct locations or types of facilities. Gauke has previously advocated for an "earned progression model" that allows for quicker movement to post-custody stages for well-behaved prisoners.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that public safety is his top priority and that he would "not hesitate" to implement necessary changes following the review. The decision to pause the scheme followed widespread criticism, including from PC Harper's widow, Lissie Harper, and his mother, Debbie Adlam, who called for a thorough examination of the policy rather than a superficial review.