Prison numbers reach record high

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A Prison Service spokesman said there were 82,501 inmates in jail, up 182 on last Friday.

"The prison population remains of concern, but we have brought forward measures to address this which have already had an effect," he said.

"Since the beginning of March we have increased total capacity by over 1,000 places through the prison building programme and more efficient use of the estate.

"This means we are able to manage the current high level of the population more effectively, with little use of police cells under Operation Safeguard.

"However, we are not complacent, and expect the pressure to continue for the time being. We commend the hard work of prison staff in holding prisoners safely and securely."

Liberal Democrat legal spokesman David Howarth said: "The sheer weight of prisoner numbers has pushed the system to the brink of collapse.

"Prison officers are making it painfully clear that they are losing control of prisons.

"The prison population has hit a record high and we are inches away from hitting absolute capacity.

"It is time for an urgent rethink of our penal system before it descends further into chaos."