Author: Kylie MacLellan

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…