Shabana Mahmood, the UK’s justice secretary, has cautioned that even with plans for 14,000 additional prison spaces, the system may still face overcrowding in the coming years. Mahmood emphasized that mere construction isn’t sufficient to address the escalating demands on the prison system. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick criticized potential early inmate releases as a solution, advocating for alternative measures. The government aims to alleviate overcrowding through its new 10-year strategy, but challenges persist, including funding issues and rising prisoner numbers.

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