Emergency measures launched to prevent prison overcrowding | UK | News

Emergency plans To avoid overcrowding in prisons, measures have been taken in the north of England, as recent Unrest.

According to the Ministry of Justice, Operation Early Dawn was launched on Monday (19 August), a long-standing plan to hold defendants in police cells and only summon them to the magistrates' court when a place becomes available in prison.

The measure will be implemented in the north-east and Yorkshire; Cumbria and Lancashire and ManchesterMerseyside and Cheshire.

Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons and Probation, said: “We have inherited a justice system that is in crisis and facing shocks. That is why we are being forced to make difficult but necessary decisions to keep it running.”

“However, thanks to the hard work of our dedicated staff and partners, we have been able to create additional places in prisons and are now launching Operation Early Dawn to address the pressures being felt in some parts of the country.”

Nev Kemp, Deputy Chief Constable and Head of Detention at the National Police Chiefs' Council, said: “We are working closely with partners in the criminal justice system to manage the demand on the system and keep the public safe.”

“The police will continue to arrest anyone they need to arrest to ensure public safety, including policing protests and events. They will make sure people are arrested as expected.”

After riots broke out across England following the knife attack on three girls in Southport, a total of 460 people appeared before the magistrates' courts in connection with the riots by the end of Thursday (15 August).

Operation Early Dawn was last launched in May by the Conservative government to combat prison overcrowding.

The Ministry of Justice said in July that violence and self-harm in prisons had reached “unacceptable” levels and that prisons were “on the verge of collapse” due to overcrowding.

Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood announced plans to reduce the proportion of prison sentences that prisoners must serve behind bars from 50 percent to 40 percent.

The temporary measure – which does not apply to people convicted of sexual offences, terrorism, domestic violence or certain violent crimes – is expected to lead to the release of 5,500 offenders in September and October.

Prison Guards' Association national chairman Mark Fairhurst told BBC Breakfast: “As we become increasingly overcrowded, we are able to offer fewer accommodation options.”

“We don't have activity rooms for everyone in our care. That leads to frustration, and that frustration spills over to the front lines.”

“We work in the most hostile work environment in the world. It's absolutely horrific.”