PLANS to boost prison capacity could fall short by thousands of cells while going billions over-budget, the spending watchdog has warned.
The National Audit Office said the government’s current expansion drive was “insufficient to meet future demand” – with a projected 12,400 places still lacking by 2028.
Plans to boost prison capacity could go billions over-budget
Its report also says the cost of building more jail space will balloon £4billion higher than expected.
The watchdog also said the then government’s 2021 pledge to create an extra 20,000 cells spaces by building more prisons, temporary wings and refurbishing existing cell blocks is now not expected to be met until 2031 – around five years later than promised.
As of September, a third (6,518) of the 20,000 had been made available, according to the NAO.
Reasons behind delays include “unrealistic timelines” and overestimating the ability to get planning permission for three out of the six new prisons due to be built.
The plans are now expected to cost between £9.4 billion and £10.1 billion – least £4.2 billion more than 2021 estimates amid a rise in construction prices, the report said.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee which scrutinises government spending, said prisons were “already at the brink”. a
He added that it was “unacceptable” that plans “beset with delays” would not meet future demand.
“The Ministry of Justice has been in firefighting mode, prioritising short-term solutions to the crisis,” Sir Clifton-Brown said.
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