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Jail system in 'serious crisis' Jail system in 'serious crisis'
(9 minutes later)
The jail system is in "serious crisis" with overcrowding affecting rehabilitation of violent offenders, the chief prison inspector has warned. The jail system is in "serious crisis" with overcrowding affecting rehabilitation of offenders, the chief inspector of prisons has warned.
Anne Owers' annual report says there is not enough space to find the "right" jails to rehabilitate those serving indeterminate sentences. Ann Owers said some jails have become "riskier places to manage" because of the overcrowding problem.
The 2,000 offenders serving such terms will be released only when they are no longer deemed a risk to the public. Many male prisoners had mental health issues that would be better addressed in secure hospitals, she said.
Prisons are currently "full to bursting point", Tony Blair has conceded. Crime reduction charity Nacro said Ms Owers' findings were as a result of the UK's "addiction to prison sentences".
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.
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.Ms Owers expressed concern about the impact that overcrowding is having on the growing number of offenders on indeterminate sentences.
Annual report [687kb] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
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.
The Home Office has said it is considering transferring some prisoners to RAF Coltishall in Norfolk. Prime Minister Tony Blair has conceded that prisons are currently "full to bursting point".
A decision is expected next week, but local MP Norman Lamb and some residents believe the plan would have a severe impact on the area. 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.