Prisons policies 'could lead to riots'

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Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers said the current jail overcrowding crisis was a "predicted and predictable" event, which had been worsened by Government policies.

In her harshest criticisms yet, Ms Owers said a move to cut the prison budget by 3% had led to measures which were "fraught with risk" and could lead to riots.

She also warned that the bid to built 2,500 capacity "Titan" prisons, the prospect of new jail ships and the conversion of "unsuitable" army camps to house inmates could all damage the work of jails and lead to more reoffending.

Noting that prisons in England and Wales had reached record populations of 81,500 last year, Ms Owers said: "That crisis was predicted and predictable, fuelled by legislation and policies which ignored consequences, cost or effectiveness, together with an absence of coherent strategic direction.

"Emergency proposals to increase capacity may see the return of the prison ship, and rapid conversion of unsuitable army camps, as well as no end to overcrowding and the continued use of police cells.

"None of this will enhance safety, decency or the reduction of offending."

Justice Secretary Jack Straw's plan for up to three new Titan jails "flew in the face" of evidence which showed smaller prisons performed better, she added.

Prisons minister David Hanson said: "I recognise the challenges facing the Prison Service and we have set out a clear strategy to address them.

"In December we set out our response to Lord Carter's review of prisons, and Baroness Corston's review of women in prisons. This will see more prison places, alongside a cross-government strategy to tackle the issue of women in prisons."