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Police cells used for new inmates Police cells used for new inmates
(about 2 hours later)
Some new prisoners are being held in police cells as jails in England and Wales approach full capacity, the Home Office has confirmed. Dozens of prisoners are being held in police cells as jails in England and Wales approach full capacity, the Home Office has confirmed.
A spokeswoman said Operation Safeguard came into force last Saturday as the prison population neared 80,000.A spokeswoman said Operation Safeguard came into force last Saturday as the prison population neared 80,000.
Home Secretary John Reid accepted the move was "necessary and pragmatic", she said. But the Conservatives labelled it a "short-term and costly measure".Home Secretary John Reid accepted the move was "necessary and pragmatic", she said. But the Conservatives labelled it a "short-term and costly measure".
Nineteen police forces have initially made about 240 cells available.Nineteen police forces have initially made about 240 cells available.
There were 47 prisoners being held in police cells as part of the operation on Friday.There were 47 prisoners being held in police cells as part of the operation on Friday.
'Operational judgement''Operational judgement'
The jail population has now reached 79,714 - still 65 below the all-time high of two weeks ago.The jail population has now reached 79,714 - still 65 below the all-time high of two weeks ago.
But using police cells became necessary last weekend because jails in some parts of the country have been more badly affected than others.But using police cells became necessary last weekend because jails in some parts of the country have been more badly affected than others.
We have only had to resort to it because of the government's utter failure David DavisShadow home secretaryWe have only had to resort to it because of the government's utter failure David DavisShadow home secretary
The Home Office spokeswoman said there was potential for 520 police cells to be used during October and November if they were needed.The Home Office spokeswoman said there was potential for 520 police cells to be used during October and November if they were needed.
"The number of cells has been agreed with chief constables, who have used their operational judgment as to how many cells they can staff and make available.""The number of cells has been agreed with chief constables, who have used their operational judgment as to how many cells they can staff and make available."
The measures would help to "manage the short-term pressures on the prison population" and would be kept under close review, she said.The measures would help to "manage the short-term pressures on the prison population" and would be kept under close review, she said.
'Desperate' act
But shadow home secretary David Davis said the measures would only buy the government a few weeks and would "place even more burdens on our police".But shadow home secretary David Davis said the measures would only buy the government a few weeks and would "place even more burdens on our police".
"We have only had to resort to it because of the government's utter failure to address the chronic lack of capacity in our prisons.""We have only had to resort to it because of the government's utter failure to address the chronic lack of capacity in our prisons."
Campaign group the Prison Reform Trust was also critical of the measures, accusing the home secretary of desperation.
Juliet Lyon, the charity's director, said: "Police stations are generally not equipped for visits, exercise or association.
"Using police cells to warehouse prisoners is a desperate measure with no pretence at decency or rehabilitation."
She said the trust was worried about the risks police officers faced in "trying to look after very vulnerable people with no space or resources to do so".