Barclay: Prison overload down to Covid delays

HEALTH Secretary Steve Barclay has blamed delayed jury trials during Covid for the "huge pressure" on the prison system.

- Steph Spyro

He spoke after reports that judges had been told to temporarily stop jailing convicted criminals, including rapists and burglars, because prisons are full.

Mr Barclay refused to confirm or deny them, but said yesterday: "We have an absolute commitment to protect the public."

It comes as UK's prison population has soared since 2020, with about 88,016 current inmates in the face of a total capacity of 88,667.

In June, 73 prisons - 61% were overcrowded. And England and Wales prisoner numbers are expected to grow to between 93,000 and 106,000 by 2027.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk will address the issue in the Commons on Monday.