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U.S. News
18 March 2025

Police Cells Reactivated As Prison Population Surges Over Capacity

Justice Secretary warns of crisis-level overcrowding and implements emergency measures to manage prisoner intake

Police cells will once again be used to hold prisoners as jails approach "critical capacity," with occupancy rates climbing above 99%. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced on March 18, 2025, the reactivation of Operation Safeguard, which is intended to manage the increasing prison population in England and Wales.

The prison population peaked recently at 87,556 as of March 17, 2025, marking the highest count seen over the last six months. This surge reflects the most significant monthly growth seen since January 2025, with reports indicating current levels getting alarmingly close to the record high of 88,521 reached on September 6, 2024, right before thousands of inmates were released during the early release phase to alleviate overcrowding.

“Operating this close to Critical Capacity increases the risk...an alternative has to be found, which is most frequently in a police cell,” stated Mahmood, emphasizing the urgent need for this emergency measure. She pointed out the surge in demand for prison space has required the government to temporarily reinstate this well-established protocol, which allows the HM Prison and Probation Service and police forces to coordinate which police cells might be necessary for holding offenders on any specific day.

On the night of March 10, 2025, the situation became particularly dire with 124 no-space lockouts recorded—the highest number for what’s referred to as business-as-usual lockouts. This worrying trend suggests serious strains on the existing system, compelling authorities to act decisively.

Historically, Operation Safeguard had also been utilized previously under the last government, activated back in February 2023, and was deactivated only recently, by October 2024. Given the current climate, up to 200 police cells will be available each day for temporary arrangements, ensuring prisons can manage overflow until permanent solutions can be implemented.

New accommodations are already underway to address these pressures: the HMP Rye Hill facility has recently opened its doors with 458 additional spaces. Meanwhile, another facility, HMP Millsike, is also slated to open soon in North Yorkshire, offering 1,500 more spots to help absorb the growing population.

Despite these openings, Mahmood foresees tight prison capacity continuing until these new facilities become fully operational. “The early prison release scheme, which we established, is anticipated to last until autumn 2025, giving us some breathing room to create additional capacity and explore long-term solutions,” Amy Rees, director general chief executive of HM Prison and Probation Service, noted during discussions with MPs.

The plan is part of the government’s broader commitment, making promises to locate 14,000 new cell spaces within jails by the year 2031, indicating they recognize the serious nature of prison overcrowding and are rallying resources to reverse the trend. With the urgent matters at hand, the Commons Justice Committee is also examining ways to explore tougher punishments outside of prison as part of efforts to mitigate the problem.

While plans and reactivations signal prompt action, questions remain about whether these measures are sufficient to keep pace with the challenges presented by current pressures on the prison system. The Justice Secretary reiterated the situation is under continuous review and police cells will be stood down as soon as they are deemed unnecessary. This ensures efficiency and responsiveness to the current demands on the prison infrastructure.

The current crisis calls for not only immediate reactions but offers the government and relevant authorities a chance to innovate and reform the correctional approach throughout the country. How these measures will shape the future of policing and prison management remains to be seen.

Through proactive management and collaboration between justice entities, it is hoped such strides will alleviate some burdens off the current systems and lead to improved conditions for prisoners and staff alike.