Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
15th Report - Prison estate capacity
Public Accounts Committee
HC 366
Published 14 March 2025
Conclusions (2)
15
Conclusion
Rejected
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 …
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.
16
Conclusion
Rejected
The condition of the estate also poses a risk to future capacity. Since the government’s 2010 prisons strategy, HMPPS has indefinitely closed 4,151 cells due to dilapidation.54 Furthermore, HMPPS’s maintenance backlog has doubled from £0.9 billion to £1.8 billion between 2020 and September 2024.55 MoJ estimates it needs £2.8 billion …
Government Response Summary
The government disagrees with the committee's conclusion and states that while HMPPS acknowledges the importance of addressing the prison estate maintenance backlog, future investment decisions will depend on the outcome of the ongoing Spending Review.