Authorities plan to increase jail capacity by converting underused areas inside prisons, including offices, storage rooms, and laundry rooms, into additional cells. The stated goal is to create about 14,000 extra jail spaces by 2031.
The proposal focuses on using existing building space rather than constructing new facilities. By repurposing rooms that are currently used for administrative or support functions, officials aim to expand accommodation within the prison estate. Different outlets emphasize various elements of the plan, such as the types of spaces targeted for conversion and the overall timeline for delivering the additional capacity, but the core approach and capacity figure are consistent across reporting.
