Overcrowding linked to violence in prisons

VIOLENCE remained “excessively high” across the prison estate last year driven by overcrowding, inadequate mental health support and a surge in drug use, an inde- pendent watchdog has warned.

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A report by the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) revealed how the issues created volatile environments while the physical setting “remained appalling” in 2024.

The body reported poor conditions were becoming normalised after years of inaction and that staff have become desensitised to seeing people in acute distress.

It comes as the Ministry of Justice published analysis that prisoners kept in overcrowded jail cells in England and Wales are nearly 20% more likely to be involved in assaults.