CRIMINALS will be housed in temporary cells or receive soft sentences because prisons are at breaking point, ministers will announce tomorrow.
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk is expected to say he is resorting to the plan after shock figures showed that fewer than 600 prison places were available.
Justice Sec Alex Chalk is expected to announce that criminals will be housed in temporary cells or receive soft sentences due to prison overcrowdingRex
Earlier this week, it was revealed judges had already been told to delay the sentencing of offenders on bail.
It sparked concerns that there was a delay in convicted rapists and burglars being sent to jail.
In a statement to Parliament, Mr Chalk is expected to announce that more offenders will be electronically tagged and monitored rather than locked up.
Judges are also expected to be told to dish out more community orders rather than custodial sentences.
Labour hit out at the plans, branding them “soft justice”.
Shadow Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “The British public will rightly be shocked and concerned by this news.
“The public has a right to expect the Government will keep us safe, deliver swift justice and uphold law and order.
“This crisis has not happened overnight — it is the result of over a decade of neglect.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “We are categorical that the most serious offenders should be sent to prison and that anyone deemed a risk to public safety is remanded in custody while awaiting trial.
“We are carrying out the biggest prison-building programme since the Victorian era, and have expanded capacity in the short-term by doubling up cells.”
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