Ministers are considering converting parts of the women's prison estate for use by men, according to reports. This consideration comes as changes to the early-release scheme have exacerbated existing capacity problems in English and Welsh jails.
Andy Burnham's decision to narrow the early-release scheme, excluding manslaughter and further sexual offences, reduced projected early releases from 6,000 to 4,500. This change was welcomed by the family of PC Andrew Harper, but it has left prisons with less room.
The government has also announced plans to spend £110m on creating new cells in existing jails by converting underused spaces. Additionally, efforts are being made to speed up deportations and examine how indeterminate imprisonment for public protection sentences can be phased out.
Experts have cautioned against rushing to close women's prisons or parts of them to free up space for men, citing safety concerns for female prisoners who are held separately from men. Women are already more likely than men to be held far from home due to the limited number of female prisons.