Quakers flag state of UK prisons
'One in ten prisons in England and Wales are barely fit for purpose and should be shut down if alternative buildings can be found.' Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons.
Quakers have spoken out about the conditions of prisoners, highlighted in a major newspaper investigation last month.
Numbers released in September showed that while prison populations and deaths are rising, staff numbers and funds are falling. There were 87,685 prisoners across the male and female estates as of 22 September, seven and a half per cent higher than in the same week last year, Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures show.
The Guardian investigation said that the figure was partly driven by the number of prisoners on remand in England and Wales, which was at its highest level in more than two decades. Another factor driving the increase is that the number of people handed longer sentences is growing.
The MoJ estimates the prison population could reach more than 100,000 within two years under its higher population projections.
Melanie Jameson, from the Quakers in Criminal Justice Group, told the Friend: ‘There are many things that concern the Justice Interest Working Group within QICJ. Chief amongst these are the appalling state of so many of our prisons, along with the massive projected increase in numbers (94,000 by 2025), recruitment and retention crises within prison and probation services, leading to long lock-ups, less purposeful activity and rehabilitation.’
One in ten prisons in England and Wales are barely fit for purpose and should be shut down if alternative buildings can be found, Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, said.
