Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Rejected
HMPPS unable to meet 2027 fire-safety compliance deadline for 23,000 prison places
Conclusion
The NAO report highlighted several risks to existing prison capacity. This included that around a quarter (23,000) of occupied prison places are at risk of enforcement by the Crown Premises Fire Safety Inspectorate 38 Q 43 39 Qq 43,46 40 Ministry of Justice, Annual Statement on Prison Capacity: 2024, December 2024, page 7 41 C&AG’s Report, Figure 9 42 Q 84 43 C&AG’s Report, para 2.11 44 Ministry of Justice, Landmark Sentencing Review launched to end prison crisis, 21 October 2024 45 Independent Sentencing Review, History and Trends in Sentencing, 18 February 2025 46 Q 7 47 Q 98 48 Q 98 49 Q 105 12 if HMPPS do not make them fire–safety compliant by the end of 2027.50 HMPPS acknowledged that it will be “impossible” to meet this target, largely because of the collapse of one of its main contractors, ISG.51 It explained that there are issues with market capacity to take on these projects and that it would need to re–sequence where it takes cells out of use in order to manage capacity in the estate.52 HMPPS stressed that if places are not remediated by the end of 2027 it will take them out of use.53
Government Response Summary
The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation and acknowledges the importance of addressing the prison estate maintenance backlog and remains committed to undertaking the necessary work to ensure compliance with fire safety standards.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
3.1 The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 3.2 HMPPS acknowledges the importance of addressing the prison estate maintenance backlog and remains committed to undertaking the necessary work to ensure compliance with fire safety standards, improve the overall condition of the estate, and reduce the risk of permanent capacity losses. Future investment decisions and corresponding business cases will depend on the outcome of the ongoing Spending Review round.