Increasing the capacity of the prison estate to meet demand

As part of the government?s mission-driven approach to tackling crime, MoJ, the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, the Home Office and other government bodies should work together to review the coherence of the government?s policy objectives and the size of, and funding for, its prison estate so they can be clear on spending priorities. This should include policies internal to the justice system such as on remand, parole and sentencing; and wider government objectives in areas such as policing, health and immigration. Specifically: MoJ should use existing cross-government mechanisms to seek agreement on how to improve alignment between government objectives which impact the prison population, and on the capacity required to support these aims. This should include the level of risk the government is willing to tolerate around capacity pressures in the estate;

Ref Page 11, Paragraph 20, point a, first bullet point · Implemented 06/2026

MoJ should combine thinking on policy objectives for the prison estate and improved evidence of different approaches to develop a long-term strategy to improve the resilience of the estate. It should: set out contingency plans for any unexpected increases in demand.

Ref Page 12, Paragraph 20, point c, fourth bullet point · Implemented Q2 FY 2026

To provide greater transparency to the public and parliament, MoJ should commit to routinely publishing capacity projections alongside its demand projections. This should include outlining mechanisms for triggering contingencies to close capacity gaps, if higher-demand scenarios are realised.

Ref Page 12, Paragraph 20, point d · Implemented Q4 FY 2031

As part of the government?s mission-driven approach to tackling crime, MoJ, the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, the Home Office and other government bodies should work together to review the coherence of the government?s policy objectives and the size of, and funding for, its prison estate so they can be clear on spending priorities. This should include policies internal to the justice system such as on remand, parole and sentencing; and wider government objectives in areas such as policing, health and immigration. Specifically: MoJ should set out its case for longer-term funding to ensure it can develop and maintain the supporting capacity; and

Ref Page 11, Paragraph 20, point a, second bullet point · Implemented Q2-27

As part of the government?s mission-driven approach to tackling crime, MoJ, the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, the Home Office and other government bodies should work together to review the coherence of the government?s policy objectives and the size of, and funding for, its prison estate so they can be clear on spending priorities. This should include policies internal to the justice system such as on remand, parole and sentencing; and wider government objectives in areas such as policing, health and immigration. Specifically: HM Treasury should assess whether MoJ?s suggested funding approach would provide better value for money than current arrangements, such as in other areas of government where multi-year funding arrangements are in place.

Ref Page 11, Paragraph 20, point a, third bullet point · Implemented Q2 2027

MoJ should improve its case for bolstering the resilience of the estate by evaluating: the cost-effectiveness of different options to alleviate capacity pressures, given the benefit of experience, and which ones are most suitable when;

Ref Page 12, Paragraph 20, point b, first bullet point · Implemented Q1 FY 2029

MoJ should improve its case for bolstering the resilience of the estate by evaluating: lessons learned from delivering the prison expansion portfolio; and

Ref Page 12, Paragraph 20, point b, second bullet point · Implemented Q4 FY 25/26

MoJ should improve its case for bolstering the resilience of the estate by evaluating: the costs involved with dealing with a capacity crisis, both in terms of resources and prisoner outcomes.

Ref Page 12, Paragraph 20, point b, third bullet point · Implemented Q1 FY 2029

MoJ should combine thinking on policy objectives for the prison estate and improved evidence of different approaches to develop a long-term strategy to improve the resilience of the estate. It should: include the rationale for its approach based on value for money, for example, how it will balance the role of maintenance against expansion and how it will consider the impacts on other bodies such as the probation service;

Ref Page 12, Paragraph 20, point c, first bullet point · Implemented Q3 FY 2027

MoJ should combine thinking on policy objectives for the prison estate and improved evidence of different approaches to develop a long-term strategy to improve the resilience of the estate. It should: clarify which current expansion projects will be completed and the total cost required;

Ref Page 12, Paragraph 20, point c, second bullet point · Implemented Q4 FY 2026

MoJ should combine thinking on policy objectives for the prison estate and improved evidence of different approaches to develop a long-term strategy to improve the resilience of the estate. It should: set out how it will ensure it has the capability to implement its approach; and

Ref Page 12, Paragraph 20, point c, third bullet point · Implemented Q2 FY 2026