Every prison cell in Britain will be full by next week

 

Pentonville prison: insiders say prison space could run-out 'just around the corner'.

 

 

 

John Reid was plunged into crisis last night after being warned Britain will run out of prison places by the end of next week.

The Home Secretary's officials are in talks with police to begin housing dangerous convicts in police cells within days.

The desperate plan, called Operation Safeguard, is likely to cost the taxpayer millions of pounds.

But Reid has little option but to sanction the drastic step, or risk fatally undermining his carefully constructed hardman image.

The alternative would be to sanction the early release of convicts only days after positioning himself for a tilt at the Labour leadership with a promise to be tough on crime.

Mr Reid has been backed into a corner after the already record prison population surged by 357 inmates in a single week.

Yesterday, there were only 326 spaces free before prisons cannot take a single further criminal.

It is the worst position the Government has been in since the crisis of 2002, which left taxpayers with a £10.5m bill. Insiders said disaster was "just around the corner".

Once capacity is reached - at current rates, this will happen on Thursday - the police will be paid to house prisoners in their cells. The exact rate is still being hammered out, but in 2002 it was a staggering £362 per prisoner each night.

Shadow Home Secretary, David Davis, said: "As a result of this Government’s absolute failure to address the chronic lack of prison places the public’s safety will be put at risk.

"Not only will taxpayers have to pick up a massive bill but the police will have yet another burden heaped on them when they should be out fighting crime. Cells that should be used to keep offenders of the streets will be put out of use."

The current crisis has been caused by the courts returning from the summer break, leading to prisoners who were on bail being sent down.

Mr Reid's alternative option would be to activate existing plans to let 30,000 criminals walk free ten days before their sentence reaches even the halfway point.

Anybody serving less more than four weeks, but less than four years will be considered.It is in addition to the automatic 50 per cent discount they get on the sentence handed down by the courts.

It creates the farcical scenario of a convict given 30 days walking free in only five. But, despite the fact orders have already been sent to staff telling them to identify suitable prisoners, insiders say Ministers have all but killed the idea.

Downing Street and Mr Reid fear they would be 'slaughtered' by the Press and public, and instead prefer forking out for police cells. In the case of Mr Reid, his chances of defeating Gordon Brown could be sunk.

In an email to staff, Phil Wheatley, the prison service's director-general, said the early-release scheme was a precautionary measure and that it "will only be introduced if it becomes absolutely necessary".

In 2002, convicts spent 29,000 nights in police stations. Ministers tried to solve the crisis by investing millions of pounds in 'quick-to-build' jail blocks, including 1,160 beds in modular temporary units and a further 920 in brick-clad, steel-framed houseblocks. These were quickly filled.

Here's a solution, have cops shoot people instead of arresting them!

 

jk

Here's a solution, have cops shoot people instead of arresting them!

 

jk

 

Or maybe bring back "commution"!!:P

It's a mojor problem here, too. So much so that ppl are granted early release even when they're considered a dangerous offender...I guess as long as they're not quite as dangerous as the next guy its ok...*shivers*

It's a mojor problem here' date=' too. So much so that ppl are granted early release even when they're considered a dangerous offender...I guess as long as they're not quite as dangerous as the next guy its ok...*shivers*[/quote']

 

Surely there can't be a "space" problem in Canada!!:P

It's a mojor problem here' date=' too. So much so that ppl are granted early release even when they're considered a dangerous offender...I guess as long as they're not quite as dangerous as the next guy its ok...*shivers*[/quote']

 

You have this problem in Canada? wow, im surprised. I always thought Canada had a super low crime rate.

jk

Thats not a joke. That's a bloody good idea!

Thats not a joke. That's a bloody good idea!

 

:shocked2:

You have this problem in Canada? wow' date=' im surprised. I always thought Canada had a super low crime rate.[/quote']

We have a lower crime rate than the US...no offense...but it's still bad. Here in Kingston where I live, there are 8 prisons in the area, and where do those ppl released go??? Right into my hometown...and alot of them are child-molesters and rapists. I'm supposed to be a pacifist, but I think Ian almost has a point agreeing with your joke. MAybe there are some ppl who should have a 3 strikes and you're off the planet rule...man, I wish I was kidding!

We have a lower crime rate than the US...no offense...but it's still bad. Here in Kingston where I live' date=' there are 8 prisons in the area, and where do those ppl released go??? Right into my hometown...and alot of them are child-molesters and rapists. I'm supposed to be a pacifist, but I think Ian almost has a point agreeing with your joke. MAybe there are some ppl who should have a 3 strikes and you're off the planet rule...man, I wish I was kidding![/quote']

 

Good idea!! We might have found a use for the Moon!!;)

Good idea!! We might have found a use for the Moon!!;)

We've already messed this place up beyond repair, and now we're gonna mess up the moon too?

Do what Britain used to do, send them to Australia!(sp?)

Yeah send them here..where they will get 5 years max prison time and then be released to living in one of the best countries in the world, receiving money from the governent if you choose not to work...plus sun and beach galore..sounds good doesnt it lol

Hell i should move there! Sounds like a awesome nation