PRISONS are using shipping containers to house inmates to tackle the overcrowding crisis.
Jail chiefs are spending tens of millions of pounds on the units which will be converted to hold lags.
Prisons are using shipping containers to house inmates to tackle the overcrowding crisis
One prison — HMP Albany on the Isle of Wight where paedo Gary Glitter previously served time — will splash out £15million on the “rapid deployment cells” to house more inmates.
They will come with built-in beds and tables.
It is part of efforts to increase capacity in prisons by 14,000.
Contract details seen by The Sun on Sunday show the units, referred to as “containerised” jail cells, will only be used for “risk-assessed prisoners”.
Paperwork says: “The units are arranged into a double or single storey configuration and attached to separate sleeper units.”
But one source said: “You have to wonder how safe and secure the containers will be.
“Prisoners will also no doubt lodge loads of complaints.”
Shipping containers were used as temporary cells during lockdowns to prevent the spread of Covid.
Prison Service bosses confirmed that rapid deployment cells were part of expansion plans to help protect the public.
Officials said the department is investing up to £7billion and adding 14,000 places, as well as putting hundreds of millions of pounds towards improving jails.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “To ensure we never run out of prison places again, we’re installing rapid deployment cells across the prison estate.”
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