Prisons typically do not garner political attention unless major issues arise. Governments are inclined to overlook the prison system, as prisoners can't vote. However, prisons play a crucial role in protecting the public, signaling justice, and rehabilitating offenders. The system is now faltering, with overcrowding leading to early releases and police being advised to reduce arrests due to lack of cell space.
The prison population in the UK is escalating, with projections indicating a rise to over 100,000 while operational capacity is at 89,000. Insufficient funding for new spaces and political pressure for harsher sentences have exacerbated the overcrowding issue. The government's austerity measures make it challenging to address the crisis and create more room within prisons.
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