Prison space receives an unlimited verbal extension
The government says prison space will never run out again under new sentencing reforms. The word never has entered Whitehall service despite lacking previous experience in prisons, hospitals or major infrastructure.
The proposals would make prisoners earn release through good behaviour. Meanwhile, badly behaved offenders could spend longer inside. This creates a system in which conduct affects capacity, rather than capacity quietly deciding policy by Friday afternoon.
The plan also expands electronic tagging and increases probation funding by up to £700 million. In addition, ministers confirmed £4.7 billion for prison building.
“We have modelled every possible future on one extremely wide spreadsheet,” said Cedric Lockup, Commissioner for Infinite Rooms. “The final column simply says never in reassuring green.”
At the Directorate of Permanent Solutions, officials tested the promise against population growth, court backlogs and buildings made during the Victorian era. However, the adverb remained admirably untroubled.
The reforms address a serious capacity crisis. More probation staff and usable cells could make a practical difference. Still, announcing permanence before construction begins gives concrete an unreasonable amount of confidence.
Ultimately, the policy must protect the public and reduce reoffending while keeping enough places available. If it succeeds, never will deserve a plaque. If not, officials can move it into the traditional policy cupboard beside world-leading and once-in-a-generation.
Read the real story: the GOV.UK announcement on prison space and sentencing.
