Local MP Slams Prison Overcrowding

Liberal Democrat MP for Winchester and the Meon Valley Mark Oaten has called for the overcrowding at Winchester prison to be sorted out or the prison pulled down.

Figures released by the Prison Reform Trust today (Thursday 7^th August) have shown that prison numbers are at record levels across the country with Winchester in the top 20 overcrowded prisons in England and Wales.

The unsustainable numbers and flawed sentencing and rehabilitation procedures has pushed the local prison over the edge creating dangerous conditions for staff and prisoners alike. With 554 prisoners at Winchester at last count the prison is almost 50% overcrowded. 

Mark Oaten commented:

“This is worse than Victorian conditions now. Across the country this Government has preceded over an explosion of prison numbers and the time to take a long hard look at reform is long overdue.

“Just think about what these inhuman conditions mean – it breeds re-offending when we should be trying to break the criminal cycle; it stops educational programmes in their tracks when we know how vitally important these are; and it creates increased tension behind the walls driving inmates to the point where they would rather take their own lives.

“The Governor and his staff are doing a good job and the best they can but they shouldn’t have to work under these conditions. And it’s also worth pointing out just what this is costing the tax payer. I don’t know how many more stark statistics like these the Government needs before something constructive is done.