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Prisons on track to reach 'zero capacity' in months

Western Mail

|

May 20, 2025

THE NUMBER of prisoners in Wales and England continues to rise as ministers seek to tackle overcrowded jails that are on track for “zero capacity” by November.

- ANAHITA HOSSEIN-POUR

The prison population stands at 88,103, just 418 below the record high of 88,521, which was reached on September 6 last year.

The latest figure is the highest since the peak, which was recorded just before the UK Government began freeing thousands of prisoners early as part of efforts to curb overcrowding.

The scheme meant the total had fallen by nearly 3,000 from the peak by the end of 2024 to 85,618, but since the start of 2025 the number has been on an upwards trend.

Latest Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures published yesterday show the number of inmates in jails has risen by 2,485 since December 30.

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