The prison overcrowding crisis could have serious knock-on effects (Image: Getty)
Sending fewer criminals to prison could lead to more pressure on the probation service and the NHS, justice chiefs said.
Former justice secretary David Gauke, who is carrying out a sentencing review, is widely expected to recommend more offenders are given community orders and reduce the number of short jail sentences.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Link Sponsored Link
Promoted Links Promoted Links
From quicker learning to sharper thinking: How rhythm and song nurture your child’s potentialThe Straits Times Read More
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Labour urged to end 'shocking' armed forces tax after school VAT raid
7 Comments
Grieving families face 'huge bills' in Reeves's inheritance tax raid
121 Comments
Rachel Reeves tax raid backfires as she's told it will mean less police on UK streets
59 Comments
Row threatens to erupt as Ed Miliband warns Reeves Heathrow expansion 'won't go ahead'
22 Comments
Labour sparks fresh Brexit fury as minister suggests UK could join customs scheme
323 Comments
Labour plotting huge Brexit betrayal in desperate bid to save economy
208 Comments
Rachel Reeves announces massive ￡160bn pension change to grow economy
714 Comments
DWP bank account checks could target people on these four benefits
6 Comments
Why Donald Trump is the only hope for Brexit Britain to truly take back control
350 Comments
Rachel Reeves has just reminded Brits of everything they forgot about Labour over 14 years
162 Comments
Rachel Reeves, this one gaping hole is why your economy is crashing down around us
94 Comments
Warning to 47,000 'mortgage prisoners' as many may not know they are affected
Comments
Brit expats ditching Tenerife to relocate to three beautiful destinations in 2025
Comments
Rachel Reeves blasted as Labour plots U-turn with yet more economic chaos
132 Comments
Goodbye, thinning hair. Hello, full hair! Trying this from Watsons.Hair’s Rich Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Huge HMRC blunder exposed just days before major tax deadline
2 Comments
DWP warning issued over new direct deduction powers
Comments
How Much Should You Pay A Cleaner To Clean Your Apartment in Singapore? Here Are The PricesMaid Service | Search Ads Search Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
The cost of a fizzy drink is set to rise by 20p for THIS reason
56 Comments
UK hasn't scratched surface of Brexit in five years - one way this can be solved
7 Comments
Remember Him? This Is How He Lives NowBoite A Scoop
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
UK crackdown sees more than 8,000 online migrant accounts shut down
11 Comments
Rachel Reeves triggers uprising as Labour left say she isn't taxing us hard enough!
37 Comments
Affordable Dental Implants in Singapore: Best Offers for 2025Local Plan Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour urged to end 'shocking' armed forces tax after school VAT raid
7 Comments
Grieving families face 'huge bills' in Reeves's inheritance tax raid
121 Comments
Seniors in Singapore: New Small Electric Cars at Unbelievable Prices!Electric cars | Search ads Click Here
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves tax raid backfires as she's told it will mean less police on UK streets
59 Comments
Row threatens to erupt as Ed Miliband warns Reeves Heathrow expansion 'won't go ahead'
22 Comments
China faces a pensions time bomb. How does this impact ordinary Chinese retirement plans?CNA Money Mind Watch Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour sparks fresh Brexit fury as minister suggests UK could join customs scheme
323 Comments
Labour plotting huge Brexit betrayal in desperate bid to save economy
208 Comments
Unlock Future Tech Careers [Explore]efinancialcareers Read More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves announces massive ￡160bn pension change to grow economy
714 Comments
DWP bank account checks could target people on these four benefits
6 Comments
Affordable Full Mouth Implants For Seniors In SingaporeLocal Plan Read More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Why Donald Trump is the only hope for Brexit Britain to truly take back control
350 Comments
Rachel Reeves has just reminded Brits of everything they forgot about Labour over 14 years
162 Comments
How Much Should You Pay A Cleaner To Clean Your Apartment in 2025? Here Are The PricesMaid Service | Search Ads Search Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves, this one gaping hole is why your economy is crashing down around us
94 Comments
Warning to 47,000 'mortgage prisoners' as many may not know they are affected
Comments
Unsold Refrigerators Given Away for Free - Check Prices!Refrigerators | Search Ads Search Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Brit expats ditching Tenerife to relocate to three beautiful destinations in 2025
Comments
Rachel Reeves blasted as Labour plots U-turn with yet more economic chaos
132 Comments
Huge HMRC blunder exposed just days before major tax deadline
2 Comments
DWP warning issued over new direct deduction powers
Comments
The cost of a fizzy drink is set to rise by 20p for THIS reason
56 Comments
UK hasn't scratched surface of Brexit in five years - one way this can be solved
7 Comments
UK crackdown sees more than 8,000 online migrant accounts shut down
11 Comments
Rachel Reeves triggers uprising as Labour left say she isn't taxing us hard enough!
37 Comments
Labour urged to end 'shocking' armed forces tax after school VAT raid
7 Comments
Grieving families face 'huge bills' in Reeves's inheritance tax raid
121 Comments
Rachel Reeves tax raid backfires as she's told it will mean less police on UK streets
59 Comments
Row threatens to erupt as Ed Miliband warns Reeves Heathrow expansion 'won't go ahead'
22 Comments
Labour sparks fresh Brexit fury as minister suggests UK could join customs scheme
323 Comments
Labour plotting huge Brexit betrayal in desperate bid to save economy
208 Comments
Rachel Reeves announces massive ￡160bn pension change to grow economy
714 Comments
And the Ministry of Justice admitted this could heap more pressure on Britain’s creaking probation system, which is plagued by staffing issues.
This could lead to staff having to choose which offenders to manage, rather than keeping an eye on all of them.
Shabana Mahmood, left, is grappling with the prison overcrowding crisis (Image: Getty)
Dame Antonia Romeo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, told the Public Accounts Committee: “Do we understand that having fewer people in prison will lead to an additional burden elsewhere in the system?
Sponsored
interactive brokers Learn More
Get started today!
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
“The answer is absolutely yes.
“We talk about this a lot.
“If anything, the impact on probation is significant but also rising and will significantly increase if we attempt to drive down the prison population through decisions that ministers may or may not make in the future.”
Amy Rees, Director General of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service told the Public Account Committee: “It’s not just probation, it’s all the other services, it’s health, all the other people that need to pick those up.
“It is certainly true, with all of those other community services, had we kept them in the community and they kept the link to those services in the first place, it would be much better than trying to move them into custody, and then in a very short period, they moved back out into community.”
Ms Rees added: “Just on probation, to be clear and candid, that we will need to take some decisions should the outcome of the sentencing review be that we’re going to put more volume into probation.
“We will need to take the decision on what they are going to prioritise, because it isn’t possible for them to manage and increase workload beyond where they are at the moment.”
Justice chiefs have admitted fewer criminals will go to prison to ease the overcrowding crisis behind bars.
At the height of the crisis last year, there were fewer than 80 spare cells for adult males.
MPs heard a shocking one in four prisoners are sharing a cell designed for only one person.
The National Audit Office warned prison expansion plans are "insufficient to meet future demand" amid a projected shortage of 12,400 prison places by the end of 2027, with costs expected to be at least ￡4 billion higher than initially estimated.
The watchdog also said the then government's 2021 pledge to create an extra 20,000 cells spaces by building more prisons, temporary wings and refurbishing existing cell blocks is now not expected to be met until 2031 - around five years later than promised.
As of September, a third (6,518) of the 20,000 had been made available, according to the NAO.
Reasons behind delays include "unrealistic timelines" and overestimating the ability to get planning permission for three out of the six new prisons due to be built.
The plans are now expected to cost between ￡9.4 billion and ￡10.1 billion – at least ￡4.2 billion more than 2021 estimates amid a rise in construction prices, the report said.
The NAO also warned the Government department "does not have any contingency plans to increase prison capacity as it views it has limited options left to do this".
Changes to sentencing will end short custodial terms and ensure more criminals are punished in the community through house arrest and greater use of technology such as electronic tagging to restrict their movements.
And jails are turning to abroad to recruit overseas officers to make up places, with the majority coming from Nigeria.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Labour urged to end 'shocking' armed forces tax after school VAT raid
7 Comments
Grieving families face 'huge bills' in Reeves's inheritance tax raid
121 Comments
Rachel Reeves tax raid backfires as she's told it will mean less police on UK streets
59 Comments
Row threatens to erupt as Ed Miliband warns Reeves Heathrow expansion 'won't go ahead'
22 Comments
Labour sparks fresh Brexit fury as minister suggests UK could join customs scheme
323 Comments
Labour plotting huge Brexit betrayal in desperate bid to save economy
208 Comments
Rachel Reeves announces massive ￡160bn pension change to grow economy
714 Comments
DWP bank account checks could target people on these four benefits
6 Comments
Why Donald Trump is the only hope for Brexit Britain to truly take back control
350 Comments
Rachel Reeves has just reminded Brits of everything they forgot about Labour over 14 years
162 Comments
Rachel Reeves, this one gaping hole is why your economy is crashing down around us
94 Comments
Warning to 47,000 'mortgage prisoners' as many may not know they are affected
Comments
Brit expats ditching Tenerife to relocate to three beautiful destinations in 2025
Comments
Rachel Reeves blasted as Labour plots U-turn with yet more economic chaos
132 Comments
30 photos that really make you thinkHigh Tally
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Huge HMRC blunder exposed just days before major tax deadline
2 Comments
DWP warning issued over new direct deduction powers
Comments
Fresh Insights on Top Refrigerator Offers in Singapore (2025)Local Plan Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
The cost of a fizzy drink is set to rise by 20p for THIS reason
56 Comments
UK hasn't scratched surface of Brexit in five years - one way this can be solved
7 Comments
Make Your Wishes Known While You Still CanPlanYourLegacy.gov.sg Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
UK crackdown sees more than 8,000 online migrant accounts shut down
11 Comments
Rachel Reeves triggers uprising as Labour left say she isn't taxing us hard enough!
37 Comments
Can You Access Your Spouse’s Funds in a Crisis?PlanYourLegacy.gov.sg Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour urged to end 'shocking' armed forces tax after school VAT raid
7 Comments
Grieving families face 'huge bills' in Reeves's inheritance tax raid
121 Comments
让幼儿全面发展：不同凡响的双语音乐启蒙教育Lianhe Zaobao 阅读更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves tax raid backfires as she's told it will mean less police on UK streets
59 Comments
Row threatens to erupt as Ed Miliband warns Reeves Heathrow expansion 'won't go ahead'
22 Comments
Lowest electricity rates and up to $158 rebates!Geneco SG Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour sparks fresh Brexit fury as minister suggests UK could join customs scheme
323 Comments
Labour plotting huge Brexit betrayal in desperate bid to save economy
208 Comments
Switch and enjoy Golden Savings of up to $158!Geneco SG Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves announces massive ￡160bn pension change to grow economy
714 Comments
DWP bank account checks could target people on these four benefits
6 Comments
Remember Brandi From Storage Wars? Here's Where She Is Today.Boite A Scoop
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Why Donald Trump is the only hope for Brexit Britain to truly take back control
350 Comments
Rachel Reeves has just reminded Brits of everything they forgot about Labour over 14 years
162 Comments
How The 5AM Club Went Viral And Became The Most Talked About Book OnlineBlinkist Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves, this one gaping hole is why your economy is crashing down around us
94 Comments
Warning to 47,000 'mortgage prisoners' as many may not know they are affected
Comments
The world’s biggest city also has some of its smallest homes. How small?CNA Money Mind Watch Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Brit expats ditching Tenerife to relocate to three beautiful destinations in 2025
Comments
Rachel Reeves blasted as Labour plots U-turn with yet more economic chaos
132 Comments
Huge HMRC blunder exposed just days before major tax deadline
2 Comments
DWP warning issued over new direct deduction powers
Comments
The cost of a fizzy drink is set to rise by 20p for THIS reason
56 Comments
UK hasn't scratched surface of Brexit in five years - one way this can be solved
7 Comments
UK crackdown sees more than 8,000 online migrant accounts shut down
11 Comments
Rachel Reeves triggers uprising as Labour left say she isn't taxing us hard enough!
37 Comments
Labour urged to end 'shocking' armed forces tax after school VAT raid
7 Comments
Grieving families face 'huge bills' in Reeves's inheritance tax raid
121 Comments
Rachel Reeves tax raid backfires as she's told it will mean less police on UK streets
59 Comments
Row threatens to erupt as Ed Miliband warns Reeves Heathrow expansion 'won't go ahead'
22 Comments
Labour sparks fresh Brexit fury as minister suggests UK could join customs scheme
323 Comments
Labour plotting huge Brexit betrayal in desperate bid to save economy
208 Comments
Rachel Reeves announces massive ￡160bn pension change to grow economy
714 Comments
Research: Businesses optimistic as they deploy generative AICIO | NTT
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Reimagine application modernisation with the power of generative AICIO | NTT
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Too good to be true! Apply, grow hair… Transform in few monthsHair’s Rich
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Why Collectors Love This CognacPernod Ricard
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Mark Fairhurst, chairman of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA), the trade union representing prison officers, said foreign recruits were struggling with the language.
He said: “We have reports, and this is confirmed by prison governors, that some overseas recruits struggle to, or simply cannot, speak English.”
The Prison Governors’ Association’s (PGA) Tom Wheatley, who said: “The scale of the levels of people from African, particularly Nigerian, origin, who are applying for jobs in the prison service, at the moment they are in the majority by a significant margin.”