Recommendation 12

We have not heard compelling evidence to support the creation of dedicated remand prisons in England and Wales—such prisons can be difficult to govern and run effective regimes within. However, some prisons are now at risk of becoming dedicated remand prisons by default as non-remanded prisoners are moved to other types of prison in order to cope with the capacity pressures caused by the growing remand population. The Ministry of Justice should set out whether this is its policy intention; and if it is not, then HMPPS needs to take steps to reduce the remand population in some of its prisons. We note also that Category B prisons often represent the worst of the prison estate, with poor, overcrowded conditions and staffing difficulties. We also recommend that as the Government invests in its prison- building programme, funding must also be allocated to deliver an improvement in conditions in the Category B estate.