Overcrowding Strains Prison Infrastructure in England and Wales

The Prison Governors' Association sent a six-page letter to governors in England and Wales warning against using unsafe cells to cope with overcrowding. Prison staff reported increasing pressure to place two inmates in single occupancy cells as overcrowding worsens across the adult male estate. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson stated that cells are only doubled up where it is safe to do so.

The overcrowding is straining infrastructure, particularly in older establishments, where issues with heating, plumbing, and ventilation are reported. The leaked guidance confirms that using a cell for confinement requires certification that its size and fittings are adequate for health requirements.