Prisons in England and Wales are facing an escalating overcrowding crisis, with leaked documents revealing plans to install second beds in single-occupancy temporary cells across ten category C prisons. Under pressure from the Ministry of Justice, prison governors have been asked to approve the move, effectively breaching safe occupancy limits. The controversial "double-up" strategy involves using prefabricated rapid deployment cells designed for one prisoner, raising concerns over safety and living conditions. The decision underscores the severity of the prison system’s capacity challenges.
Exclusive: Ten category C prisons in England and Wales asked to add second beds, in breach of safe occupancy limitsThe Prison Service has drawn up plans to “double up” hundreds of prisoners in temporary prefabricated cells built for one person, at the request of the Ministry of Justice, leaked documents show.Amid an ongoing overcrowding crisis in England and Wales, governors of 10 category C prisons have been asked to sign off the installation of second beds in “rapid deployment cells [RDCs]”. Continue reading...
