British prisons have deteriorated to such an extent that other countries are now hesitant to extradite criminals to the UK, citing inhumane conditions as the reason. It’s a surprising realization for a nation that historically prides itself on setting high standards, particularly when it comes to law and order.
But the reality is starkly different with the current state of UK prisons. Recent reports paint a grim picture, highlighting distressing conditions like rooms overwhelmed by the stench of rodent urine, inoperable CCTV cameras, deteriorating floors posing trip hazards, persistent issues with legionella, and kitchens left without heating for nearly a decade. One facility has been without hot water since April 2022. The situation is so dire that some facilities have resorted to having inmates handle their own repairs.
A significant part of this issue stems from privatized maintenance, which came under fire in a recent Prison Officers Association report. Since the maintenance was outsourced in 2015, a National Audit Office report revealed that 25% of prison spaces fail to meet fundamental fire safety standards, and maintenance backlogs have doubled over the past four years. The projected cost to resolve these issues is a staggering £2.8 billion over the next five years. Yet, maintenance isn’t the only problem.
This crisis can be traced back to a rapid increase in the prison population, now significantly larger than those in other Western European countries. Factors such as harsher sentences, an increase in prosecutions, and a growing number of defendants awaiting trial have led to the inmate population doubling over the last three decades, with expectations of reaching 100,000 by 2029. Although early releases since September have temporarily averted disaster, the system is expected to exceed capacity again by July.
This influx has led to overcrowding, without corresponding increases in funding for space or staffing. As a result, prisoners are crammed into cells designed for one person. Overcrowding complicates inmate management and hinders rehabilitation efforts. Instead of engaging in productive activities like exercise, study, or skill-building, about 40% of prisoners spend the majority of their time confined to their cells, which breeds boredom. This boredom often leads to self-harm, drug use, and violence, which is further exacerbated by a shortage of staff, creating an environment where such incidents spiral uncontrollably. Violent acts among inmates have increased by 57% between 2020 and 2023, with assaults on staff reaching their highest levels since before 2015.
The grim reality deters many from pursuing or continuing careers as prison officers. Just last week, news emerged of a guard with two decades of service resigning after suffering a brutal attack by an inmate. The exodus of experienced staff has been alarming; in 2017, there were over 11,100 officers with more than ten years of experience, a number that has dwindled to just 6,681. Additionally, one in four new recruits leave the service within a year. A survey suggests that conditions will worsen, with half of the current officers feeling unsafe, and about 40% considering leaving in the next five years.
When prisons are desperate for staff, standards inevitably slip. Today, new officers often start after only a few weeks of training—often online. Unsurprisingly, when staff are underprepared, conditions worsen further. Recent findings show that four in ten prisoners who committed suicide in custody were not provided with adequate healthcare. One tragic case involved a shoplifting inmate pleading for help, and in his distress, not eating or sleeping in his final days, yet he was not seen by a mental health professional. His family described the situation as “medieval.”
Moreover, the harsh environment within these jails leaves many inmates ill-prepared for life outside. This leads to higher rates of reoffending, compounding the issue as more individuals enter an already overburdened system, creating a vicious cycle.
So, how do we solve this? Reducing sentence lengths to lower the prison population could be a step forward. There is little benefit in extended incarceration if it only fosters more violent behavior or mental health issues. However, the political climate makes this a challenging prospect. Many politicians fear that being perceived as lenient on crime could cost votes. Indeed, public perception often deems sentencing as too lenient.
Yet, public opinion is more nuanced than it seems. The demand for tougher sentences is typically aimed at violent crimes and offenses like dangerous driving causing death. There’s generally less push for harsh penalties for offenses like theft and drug dealing. When provided with detailed case studies and sentencing guidelines, people tend to soften their stance and are more accepting of the concept of rehabilitation.
Government might consider a fresh approach by treating the public as capable of understanding complex issues. While persuasion has become somewhat of a lost art in politics, there is a compelling argument for shortening certain sentences. It’s an argument worth making.
Discussing the financial implications could also be persuasive. The average annual cost for a prison place in 2022-2023 was a hefty £52,000. Highlighting the dangers posed by unrehabilitated criminals likely to reoffend upon release is another angle. Remarkably, the Netherlands has significantly reduced its prison population while maintaining low crime rates, suggesting that a similar outcome might be achievable here in the UK as well.
