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Prisons forecast to run out of space again in early 2026
A general view of a prison
PRISONS are so overcrowded they are at risk of running out of space again by early 2026, MPs have warned.
The public accounts committee inquiry found that the system faces “total gridlock” despite thousands of prisoners being released early.
It said that violence is increasing, with fights between prisoners up by 14 per cent and attacks on staff up by 19 per cent since last September.
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MARK FAIRHURST highlights the main issues facing officers in a long neglected service, and raised by front-line delegates at POA conference last week, including understaffing, violence, bullying and the ongoing denial of workers’ right to strike
