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30/01/2007
Prison system in 'serious crisis'
The jail system is in "serious crisis" due to the level of overcrowding, the Chief Inspector of Prisons has warned.
In her annual report, Anne Owers said that overcrowding in prisons was making it harder to successfully rehabilitate prisoners.
Ms Owers said that long-term planning by the Home Office should have happened "a long time ago" and said: "It is normally considered good practice to build an ark before a flood, not during it."
Ms Owers also warned that more than 1,000 foreign national prisoners were also being held beyond their sentence as they awaited deportation.
The prison population in England and Wales has now reached nearly 80,000. Police and court cells are now being used in order to try and ease overcrowding.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has admitted that the prison population is at "bursting point" and said that 20,000 new prison places had been created, with a further 8,000 planned to be added soon.
The row over prison overcrowding escalated last week, when Home Secretary John Reid urged judges to take into account the current prison overcrowding crisis when handing down sentences.
Subsequently, it was reported that two Crown Court judges said that they had decided against jailing two sex offenders because of the overcrowding crisis.
The head of the Youth Justice Board in England and Wales, Rod Morgan, also quit his post last Friday, over overcrowding in youth prisons.
On Monday, Mr Reid said that he would not resign from his post, but warned that the Home Office faced further problems.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Mr Reid said that it could take two and a half years to reform the beleaguered department, but pledged that he would "see it through".
(KMcA)
In her annual report, Anne Owers said that overcrowding in prisons was making it harder to successfully rehabilitate prisoners.
Ms Owers said that long-term planning by the Home Office should have happened "a long time ago" and said: "It is normally considered good practice to build an ark before a flood, not during it."
Ms Owers also warned that more than 1,000 foreign national prisoners were also being held beyond their sentence as they awaited deportation.
The prison population in England and Wales has now reached nearly 80,000. Police and court cells are now being used in order to try and ease overcrowding.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has admitted that the prison population is at "bursting point" and said that 20,000 new prison places had been created, with a further 8,000 planned to be added soon.
The row over prison overcrowding escalated last week, when Home Secretary John Reid urged judges to take into account the current prison overcrowding crisis when handing down sentences.
Subsequently, it was reported that two Crown Court judges said that they had decided against jailing two sex offenders because of the overcrowding crisis.
The head of the Youth Justice Board in England and Wales, Rod Morgan, also quit his post last Friday, over overcrowding in youth prisons.
On Monday, Mr Reid said that he would not resign from his post, but warned that the Home Office faced further problems.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Mr Reid said that it could take two and a half years to reform the beleaguered department, but pledged that he would "see it through".
(KMcA)
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03 April 2006
Prisons face overcrowding crisis
Prisons in England and Wales are under "enormous pressure" and are facing a "looming overcrowding crisis", according to a charity report. The Prison Reform Trust reported that prison numbers have crept up again since Christmas rising to over 77,000 again.
Prisons face overcrowding crisis
Prisons in England and Wales are under "enormous pressure" and are facing a "looming overcrowding crisis", according to a charity report. The Prison Reform Trust reported that prison numbers have crept up again since Christmas rising to over 77,000 again.
20 October 2005
Overcrowded prisons linked to higher suicide rate
The most overcrowded prisons have the highest numbers of suicides, new research has revealed. According to a study by the Howard League for Penal Reform, over half (56%) of suicides in England and Wales since the start of 2004 have occurred in the 35 most overcrowded jails.
Overcrowded prisons linked to higher suicide rate
The most overcrowded prisons have the highest numbers of suicides, new research has revealed. According to a study by the Howard League for Penal Reform, over half (56%) of suicides in England and Wales since the start of 2004 have occurred in the 35 most overcrowded jails.
29 January 2007
Reid pledges to remain as Home Secretary
Home Secretary John Reid has said that he will not resign from his post, but warned that the Home Office faced further problems. In an interview with BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Mr Reid said that it could take two and a half years to reform the beleaguered department, but pledged that he would "see it through".
Reid pledges to remain as Home Secretary
Home Secretary John Reid has said that he will not resign from his post, but warned that the Home Office faced further problems. In an interview with BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Mr Reid said that it could take two and a half years to reform the beleaguered department, but pledged that he would "see it through".
22 July 2008
Reports Reveals Prison Overcrowding
Some prisoners are enduring poor conditions because of overcrowding, a new report has stated. The HM Inspectorate of Prisons has found that Doncaster jail had almost 200 more inmates than it could cater for. The report stated that two-man cells had been turned into three-man cells by placing an extra bed in the toilet area.
Reports Reveals Prison Overcrowding
Some prisoners are enduring poor conditions because of overcrowding, a new report has stated. The HM Inspectorate of Prisons has found that Doncaster jail had almost 200 more inmates than it could cater for. The report stated that two-man cells had been turned into three-man cells by placing an extra bed in the toilet area.
14 August 2006
Prison officers suspended over corruption claims
Fourteen prison officers have been suspended from HMP Pentonville following allegations of corruption. A spokesperson for the Prison Service confirmed that the prison officers had been suspended over allegations which concerned trafficking and "inappropriate relations" with prisoners.
Prison officers suspended over corruption claims
Fourteen prison officers have been suspended from HMP Pentonville following allegations of corruption. A spokesperson for the Prison Service confirmed that the prison officers had been suspended over allegations which concerned trafficking and "inappropriate relations" with prisoners.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
