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Prison governors warned over unsafe cells amid overcrowding

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 8:02 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The Prison Governors' Association warned England and Wales prison governors against using unsafe cells in a letter.
The letter urges governors to follow the law, meet health-and-safety standards, and match cell capacity to inmates.
Prison staff told the BBC they are increasingly placing two prisoners in single-occupancy cells as overcrowding worsens.
A governor said lack of space forces cramming inmates into cells with faulty heating, plumbing, toilets, or sinks.

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Story summary

The Prison Governors' Association warned England and Wales prison governors against using unsafe cells in a letter.
The letter urges governors to follow the law, meet health-and-safety standards, and match cell capacity to inmates.
Prison staff told the BBC they are increasingly placing two prisoners in single-occupancy cells as overcrowding worsens.
A governor said lack of space forces cramming inmates into cells with faulty heating, plumbing, toilets, or sinks.