Structural crisis in England’s prisons

These prisons, inherited from the Victorian era (1837–1901), often feature small cells, poor ventilation, inadequate sanitation, and capacities far below the actual prisoner population, creating inhumane conditions for inmates. Prisons like Wandsworth, Durham, and Bristol are currently operating at over 75% capacity, with single-occupancy cells housing two inmates.

According to The Guardian’s findings, many of these prisons allocate less than 4 square meters per prisoner—a space that falls short of the standards set by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture. In these overcrowded cells, prisoners lack privacy and are forced to spend long hours alongside strangers, without proper ventilation and next to used toilets.

Studies indicate that such conditions can lead to increased tension, mental health issues, risky behaviors, and even heightened violence within prisons. Roland Kartous, an architect and researcher of prison design in England, notes that poor physical environments and lack of space directly undermine rehabilitation efforts.

Beyond overcrowding, the severe deterioration of infrastructure has become a major issue. Leaking moisture, mold growth, broken doors, and even walls being dug out with plastic spoons are among the problems reported by the Chief Inspector of Prisons after visiting Victorian-era facilities. A Ministry of Justice official described the situation as “unsustainable but unavoidable.”

Despite plans for refurbishment, British authorities acknowledge that, with the prison population projected to reach 100,000 by 2029, closing these facilities in the near future is not feasible. Instead, the Ministry of Justice has pledged to renovate around 1,000 old cells by year-end.

The British government is attempting to prevent the complete collapse of the prison system by building new facilities and undertaking limited renovations of aging ones. However, observers argue these efforts fall short of addressing the crisis, as the lack of political will for structural judicial reform and inadequate post-release social support perpetuate a cycle of arrest, imprisonment, and recidivism.

Ultimately, what appears at first glance as an infrastructural issue is, in fact, a reflection of a broader social, judicial, and political crisis in England—a crisis that cannot be concealed by the thick walls of 19th-century prisons.