The UK government has announced an ambitious 10-year plan to address the growing demand for prison spaces and bolster public safety as part of its broader “Plan for Change.” The strategy, unveiled today (11 December) by Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood, includes the construction of four new prisons over the next seven years, adding 6,500 spaces for detaining dangerous criminals.
An additional 6,400 places will be created through new blocks on existing sites, alongside the rollout of 1,000 rapid deployment cells and the refurbishment of over 1,000 existing cells. Backed by a £2.3 billion investment, the initiative will also allocate £500 million to essential building maintenance across the prison and probation services.
To accelerate construction, the government is streamlining planning processes by designating prisons as sites of national importance. This move aims to eliminate delays that have hindered prison development in the past. Furthermore, there is a commitment to acquiring land for future prisons to ensure supply keeps pace with demand.
The strategy follows years of minimal progress in expanding prison capacity. Between 2010 and 2024, the prison estate saw an increase of fewer than 500 spaces. In contrast, recent months have already delivered an additional 500 spaces as part of the government’s broader plan to expand capacity by 20,000 places.
A significant milestone was achieved last week when approval was granted for a new prison adjacent to HMP Garth in Lancashire, overcoming three years of planning delays. The facility, to be built on greenbelt land, will provide approximately 1,700 new prison places.
To ensure accountability and transparency, the government will publish an Annual Statement on Prison Capacity. This initiative aims to keep Parliament and the public informed about available prison spaces and the long-term impact of sentencing reforms. The first statement was released today, alongside the launch of the Independent Sentencing Review, chaired by Rt Hon David Gauke, to ensure serious offenders can always be incarcerated.
This comprehensive plan reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing public protection and addressing the challenges posed by a rising prison population.