{"id":231681,"date":"2024-05-22T12:21:23","date_gmt":"2024-05-22T12:21:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dominiclevent.com\/blog\/?p=231681"},"modified":"2024-05-22T12:21:23","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T12:21:23","slug":"police-chiefs-say-prison-crisis-in-england-and-wales-is-unsustainable-prisons-and-probation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominiclevent.com\/blog\/police-chiefs-say-prison-crisis-in-england-and-wales-is-unsustainable-prisons-and-probation\/","title":{"rendered":"Police chiefs say prison crisis in England and Wales is \u2018unsustainable\u2019 | Prisons and probation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Police chiefs have told ministers they fear that the crisis gripping the Prison Service in England<\/a> and Wales is \u201cunsustainable\u201d and risks public safety, the Guardian has learned.<\/p>\n

Government and prison chiefs have taken a series of crisis measures because of overcrowding, including plans to free convicted criminals early and using police cells to house those who otherwise would be in jail.<\/p>\n

Sources with knowledge of the discussions between government and senior police leaders, including the National Police Chiefs\u2019 Council chair, Gavin Stephens, confirmed the dire warning had been given to ministers and senior officials in recent days.<\/p>\n

<\/figure>\n

Chiefs believe the use of police cells cannot go on, with the Prison Service paying to use them because of severe overcrowding.<\/p>\n

Police chiefs have also been asked to consider delaying some operations that would lead to arrests to ease over crowding, in advice issued by the NPCC.<\/p>\n

Police chiefs have been asked to consider whether arrests can be delayed for non-priority cases, as long as the public are not placed in danger, according to documents first reported by the Times.<\/p>\n

One source said this would cover arrests where police could safely delay a raid for some time, or detaining multiple suspects, but not a case where someone is arrested immediately after committing a crime.<\/p>\n

Multiple sources confirmed the documents are genuine and accurately spell out the level of concern within policing.<\/p>\n

The document sent to police chiefs by the NPCC says: \u201cConsideration is to be given to pausing non-priority arrests and any planned operations where large numbers of arrests may take place to ease the pressure within the criminal justice system.<\/p>\n

\u201cNotwithstanding public protection remains a priority and a considered threat, harm and risk assessment is to be completed when considering any pause in police operations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shabana Mahmood MP, the shadow justice secretary, committed the Labour party to building new prisons, saying: \u201cIt beggars belief that police are being told to sit on their hands and ignore crime because the Conservatives have mismanaged the criminal justice system so badly.<\/p>\n

\u201cRishi Sunak\u2019s rap sheet now reads: the rushed early release of domestic abusers on to our streets, deliberate delays to trials, and victims waiting years for justice. The public will be absolutely dumbfounded. This cannot go on.<\/p>\n

skip past newsletter promotion<\/a><\/p>\n