Prisoners to ‘double up’ in one-person prefab cells, leaked documents show
Summary
The UK Ministry of Justice plans to put two prisoners in temporary prison cells meant for one person to ease overcrowding. Prison officials warn this could break safety rules and cause problems for prisoners and staff.Key Facts
- The Ministry of Justice wants to double the number of prisoners in some temporary cells called Rapid Deployment Cells (RDCs).
- These cells are steel pods about 2.9 by 3.4 meters with a bed, toilet, and shower, usually for one low-risk prisoner.
- Doubling up could add 476 more prisoner places across several prisons in England and Wales.
- Prison governors and officers say this may break health and safety laws and make prisons unsafe.
- The plan focuses on ground floor units only and is in response to rising prisoner numbers and fewer new prison places.
- Prisons involved include Wayland, Littlehey, Erlestoke, Rochester, and others.
- Prison officers warned they might refuse to work if prisons become unsafe due to overcrowding.
- Prison governors said each prison must assess risks to keep prisoners, staff, and the public safe.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
