The move forms part of the government’s Plan for Change. Credit: Tim Photoguy via Unsplash.

The UK government has announced a plan to construct four new prisons over the next seven years as part of its Plan for Change.

This initiative, aimed at enhancing public safety, will create new places to accommodate criminals, addressing the need for increased prison capacity.

Under the ten-year prison capacity strategy, unveiled by Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood, an additional 6,400 places will be built in new blocks on existing sites. Furthermore, 1,000 rapid deployment cells will be introduced, and over 1,000 existing cells will undergo refurbishment.

The strategy is supported by a £2.3bn ($2.92bn) investment, with an additional £500m allocated for essential building maintenance across prisons and the probation service.

The strategy highlights the issue of limited prison capacity, which increased by fewer than 500 places in the 14 years leading up to April 2024.

To expedite construction, changes to planning rules will classify prisons as sites of national importance, reducing delays in the planning process and facilitating timely development.

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The government also aims to proactively acquire land for potential future prisons to ensure supply meets demand.

Mahmood stated: “Part of our plan for change, this capacity strategy, alongside an independent review of sentencing policy, will keep our streets safe and ensure no government runs out of prison places again.”

In recent months, the government has added around 500 places as part of the 20,000-place prison expansion programme.

The UK’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government recently approved a new prison adjacent to His Majesty’s Prison Garth in Lancashire, on greenbelt land, after a three-year, four-month planning delay. This site will provide approximately 1,700 prison places.

Over the past decade, despite increased prison time for offenders, there was a lack of transparency regarding the disparity between supply and demand.

To ensure accountability, an Annual Statement on Prison Capacity will be published, offering clarity to Parliament and the public on prison place availability.

The government is investing £220m in prison and probation service maintenance for 2024-25 and up to £300m for 2025-26 to improve conditions and maintain safety and security in prisons.