Emergency plan to combat overcrowding in prisons in England activated

The system, known as Operation Early Dawn, was deployed by the Conservative government in May.

One of the reasons for introducing this plan is the conviction of people involved in the right-wing extremist riots in late July and early August.

The government said its measures to “tackle violence on our streets” had “exacerbated long-standing capacity problems in our prisons,” BBC News reports.

Breaking news: An emergency plan was implemented overnight to prevent overcrowding in English prisons.

This came as courts continued to rapidly sentence hundreds of people in connection with the unrest following the Southport knife attacks. pic.twitter.com/bb6SEz0rf9

— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) 19 August 2024

Across the north of England, defendants awaiting court dates are being held in police cells until prison space becomes available.

A number of measures have already been taken to increase prison capacity, including the provision of hundreds of places, including a new accommodation block at HMP Stocken, the repurposed HMP Cookham Wood and accelerated maintenance work at other prisons.

The government website continues: “The first week of forming a new government also saw action to address long-standing capacity issues in our prisons and the announcement of difficult but necessary changes to certain prison sentences.

“These changes will come into force at the beginning of September and will give the probation service the time it needs to release offenders safely, so that everyone has somewhere to live and is supported in finding work upon their release from prison.”

What did the government have to say about the plan to tackle prison overcrowding?

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

Reading tip:

“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.”