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The Conservative Party has unveiled plans to create 50,000 additional prison places in England and Wales if they return to government, aiming to reduce early releases of criminals. According to the party, constructing and operating these new facilities would cost £2 billion annually. This expense is proposed to be covered by budget cuts, notably including reductions in foreign aid spending.
This announcement coincides with the party’s annual conference in Birmingham, starting Sunday. It follows recent early release measures intended to alleviate prison overcrowding, which saw hundreds of prisoners freed prematurely and anticipates nearly 4,500 more releases by next summer. Current government data reveals that prisons in England and Wales are operating at 98% capacity, with many inmates being released after serving just one-third of their sentences under the new licensing rules. Certain offenders—such as those convicted of murder, manslaughter, sexual or grooming offences, or fatal driving offences—remain ineligible for early release. Furthermore, the government has effectively done away with one-year prison sentences, a policy the Conservatives aim to reverse by increasing prison capacity.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the current situation, stating, “A violent criminal doesn’t become less dangerous just because the government has run out of prison cells.” She accused Labour of favoring even earlier releases of dangerous offenders instead of building more prison capacity. In response, Labour Party chairwoman Bridget Phillipson denounced the Conservatives’ record on prisons, pointing out, “Across 14 years in government, they added just 500 prison places and closed 23 prisons. Now Kemi Badenoch expects the British people to believe they’ll build 50,000.” The Prison Governors’ Association also emphasized the need for sustained investment while warning about a staffing crisis that could hinder the delivery of new prisons.
If granted power, the Conservatives plan to introduce legislation at the start of the next Parliament to eliminate obstacles related to planning and procurement, allowing for a “fast-tracked” construction process. They intend to utilize private financing to accelerate development and manage costs effectively. Currently, there are approximately 89,000 usable prison places across England and Wales, and the party’s proposal would expand this by over 50%. Most of the increase is expected during their first term, spanning up to five years, with full implementation within seven years. The proposed £2 billion annual funding would come from savings including £1 billion from the foreign aid budget and another £1 billion cut from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Labour, meanwhile, has committed to adding 14,000 extra prison spaces by 2031. The Conservatives argue that increasing prison capacity will reduce crime and reoffending by keeping serious offenders away from the public. Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy remarked, “Prison works. It works by punishing and deterring, but most importantly by incapacitating. Prison should keep violent and repeat offenders away from the law-abiding public.
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