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Jail system in 'serious crisis' Jail system in 'serious crisis'
(10 minutes later)
The jail system is in "serious crisis" with overcrowding affecting rehabilitation of offenders, the chief inspector of prisons has warned.The jail system is in "serious crisis" with overcrowding affecting rehabilitation of offenders, the chief inspector of prisons has warned.
Ann Owers said some jails have become "riskier places to manage" because of the overcrowding problem.Ann Owers said some jails have become "riskier places to manage" because of the overcrowding problem.
Many male prisoners had mental health issues that would be better addressed in secure hospitals, she said.Many male prisoners had mental health issues that would be better addressed in secure hospitals, she said.
Crime reduction charity Nacro said Ms Owers' findings were as a result of the UK's "addiction to prison sentences".Crime reduction charity Nacro said Ms Owers' findings were as a result of the UK's "addiction to prison sentences".
There are nearly 80,000 prisoners in England and Wales, with some inmates held in police stations and court cells to ease overcrowding.There are nearly 80,000 prisoners in England and Wales, with some inmates held in police stations and court cells to ease overcrowding.
Tackling behaviourTackling behaviour
Ms Owers expressed concern about the impact that overcrowding is having on the growing number of offenders on indeterminate sentences. Speaking at the launch of her report, Ms Owers said there was no easy way out of the current overcrowding crisis.
And she questioned plans to erect new quick-build units on existing sites.
Annual report [687kb] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereAnnual report [687kb] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
"As fast as quick-build units are put up they will be filled," she said.
Long-term planning from the Home Office "should have happened some time ago", she added.
"It is normally considered good practice to build an ark before a flood not during it," she said.
In her report, Ms Owers expressed concern about the impact that overcrowding is having on the growing number of offenders on indeterminate sentences.
She said those prisoners presented a "management problem" because there wasn't enough space to find the "right" prisons for them, where their offending behaviour could be tackled.She said those prisoners presented a "management problem" because there wasn't enough space to find the "right" prisons for them, where their offending behaviour could be tackled.
Ms Owers also warned that more than 1,000 foreign national prisoners are being held beyond their sentence, while they await deportation.Ms Owers also warned that more than 1,000 foreign national prisoners are being held beyond their sentence, while they await deportation.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has conceded that prisons are currently "full to bursting point".Prime Minister Tony Blair has conceded that prisons are currently "full to bursting point".
The prime minister said 20,000 new prison places had been created and there would be a further 8,000 added to that total soon.The prime minister said 20,000 new prison places had been created and there would be a further 8,000 added to that total soon.
Last week, Home Secretary John Reid came under fire last week over a letter he wrote to judges and magistrates, asking them to imprison only the most dangerous of offenders.Last week, Home Secretary John Reid came under fire last week over a letter he wrote to judges and magistrates, asking them to imprison only the most dangerous of offenders.
He denied encouraging softer sentences for criminals to ease prison overcrowding, but said he was merely re-stating existing guidelines. Serious offenders should still be locked up, he said.He denied encouraging softer sentences for criminals to ease prison overcrowding, but said he was merely re-stating existing guidelines. Serious offenders should still be locked up, he said.