How viable are plans to free up prison space in England and Wales?

<p>The PM is proposing three ways of increasing jail capacity – but none offer a quick or straightforward solution</p><p>Andy Burnham <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/aug/11/andy-burnham-justice-secretary-early-release-scheme-pc-andrew-harper-killers">said on Monday he was “increasingly confident”</a> that PC Andrew Harper’s killers would not be freed in the new year.</p><p>Determined to ensure that Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, who were jailed for 13 years in 2020 for manslaughter, serve their full sentences, he has asked the justice secretary, Alex Norris, to examine three options for increasing prison capacity.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/aug/11/how-viable-are-burnhams-plans-to-free-up-prison-space">Continue reading...</a>