The prison population in England and Wales has hit a record high, prompting the government to consider early prisoner release to ease overcrowding. With the highest incarceration rate in Western Europe, the UK faces a crisis as its prison capacity fails to keep up with stricter sentencing laws.
Recent data from the Ministry of Justice revealed a total of 88,521 inmates, highlighting the strain on the system with nearly 150 prisoners per 100,000 people. Comparatively, France, Spain, and Italy have lower imprisonment rates, while the US has a significantly higher rate.
Newly appointed justice minister Shabana Mahmood warned of a potential “breakdown of law and order” if prisons continue to reach full capacity. Some facilities are already double-occupying cells, and there are concerns that offenders may need to be held in police cells, disrupting the justice system.