The Independent reports on the UK prison crisis, revealing that overcrowding has led to the activation of 'Operation Safeguard' by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood. This emergency strategy allows prisoners to be temporarily housed in police cells, costing the government millions. A recent report from the Public Accounts Committee criticized the previous government's plans for 20,000 new prison places, declaring them unrealistic. Ultimately, the system's delays are poised to exceed budgeted costs significantly, exacerbating the issue as thousands of spaces remain unavailable due to chronic overcrowding.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has enacted Operation Safeguard, which allows the prison service to hold prisoners overnight in police cells. This emergency measure is crucial as overcrowding in jails escalates, costing the government millions.
The announcement follows a critical Public Accounts Committee report, highlighting that the previous administration's pledge for 20,000 additional prison places by mid-2020s is no longer feasible, reflecting a significant crisis in the prison estate.
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