Prisoner numbers at all-time high

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The total peaked at 80,812, up 154 since last week.

It means the jails now have just 320 spare places - even taking into account the 400 beds in police stations which are being used as emergency accommodation under "Operation Safeguard". The total included 364 being held in police cells.

Last week's record high was the first since jails policy passed to the new Ministry of Justice on May 9.

The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer of Thoroton, took control of prisons, probation and sentencing policy from the Home Office as part of a radical shake-up.

At this point last year the number of prisoners was 77,640, nearly 3,200 lower than the latest figure.

Left-wing think-tank the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) said 12,000 inmates - such as drug addicts, those with mental health problems and some female offenders - would be better off outside the prison system.

IPPR director Nick Pearce said: "Until we have a fundamental rethink, we will keep facing crises. Prison is an expensive and ineffective way of warehousing social problems.

"If more drug and mental health treatment was provided outside prisons and women sentenced to less than six months were given community sentences, we could stabilise our prison population to 10% lower than it is today."

He added: "The public recognises that drug addicts and those with mental illnesses should be in treatment centres and specialist mental health units, not prison. We also know that there is support for tougher, more visible community service as an alternative to short prison sentences."