Prison overcrowding is a growing problem in the UK, leading to several challenges for both prisoners and staff. 

Overcrowded prisons put pressure on resources, contribute to poor living conditions, and increase the risk of violence and self-harm. 

In this article, we will look at 20 of the most overcrowded prisons in the UK, focusing on how much they exceed their capacity and the impact of overcrowding.

These statistics are taken from The Howard League for Penal Reform & BBC News, and are accurate as of July 26th 2024. 

20. Pentonville Prison – 31% Over Capacity

Pentonville Prison, located in London, is at the bottom of our list of the UK’s most overcrowded prisons, operating at 31% over capacity. 

Built in 1842, the prison is designed to house 905 prisoners but now holds 1,188 prisoners. 

The overcrowding has led to substandard living conditions, with prisoners often confined to cramped cells for long periods. 

This has created significant challenges for prison staff, who struggle to provide adequate care and rehabilitation services. 

The prison has seen an increase in violence and self-harm incidents as tensions rise among the overcrowded prisoner population.

19. Chelmsford Prison – 35% Over Capacity

Chelmsford Prison, opened in 1825, operates at 35% over capacity, housing more than 700 prisoners in a facility designed for around 500. 

The overcrowding has led to poor living conditions, with prisoners often sharing cells designed for one person. 

This has created significant challenges for prison staff, who struggle to provide adequate care and rehabilitation services. 

The prison has seen an increase in violence and self-harm incidents as tensions rise among the overcrowded prisoner population. 

Staff shortages have further complicated the situation, making it difficult to maintain order and provide the necessary support for prisoners.

18. Forest Bank Prison – 37% Over Capacity

Forest Bank Prison, located in Greater Manchester, operates at 37% over capacity. 

Opened in 2000, the prison was designed to house just over 1,000 prisoners but now holds almost 1,500. 

The overcrowding has strained the prison’s resources, making it difficult to provide adequate care and rehabilitation services. 

prisoners face long waiting times for access to essential programs, and violence has increased as tensions rise within the overcrowded facility. 

Staff shortages have further exacerbated the situation, making it difficult to maintain order and ensure the safety of both prisoners and staff.

17. Winchester Prison – 39% Over Capacity

Winchester Prison, built in the 1840’s, operates at 39% over capacity. 

The prison was designed to hold around 450 prisoners but now houses just under 650. 

The overcrowding has led to poor living conditions, with prisoners often confined to cramped cells for long periods. 

This has created significant challenges for prison staff, who struggle to provide adequate care and rehabilitation services. 

The prison has seen an increase in violent incidents as tensions rise among the prisoner population. 

Staff shortages have further complicated the situation, making it difficult to maintain order.

16. Cardiff Prison – 39% Over Capacity

Cardiff Prison operates at 39% over capacity, housing almost 750 prisoners in a facility designed for around 550. 

Opened in 1832, the prison has long struggled with overcrowding, which has led to poor living conditions and limited access to essential services. 

Prisoners face long periods of confinement due to a lack of space and staff shortages, which has contributed to rising tensions and incidents of violence. 

The prison has also struggled to provide adequate rehabilitation programs, making it difficult for prisoners to prepare for reintegration into society.

15. Bristol Prison – 40% Over Capacity

Bristol Prison, built in 1883, operates at 40% over capacity, housing 575 prisoners in a facility designed for around 400. 

The overcrowding has put immense pressure on the prison’s resources, making it difficult to provide adequate care and rehabilitation services. 

Prisoners face long periods of confinement in their cells due to a lack of space and staff shortages. 

The prison received the lowest grade possible for safety during an inspection in 2019. 

14. Leicester Prison – 40% Over Capacity

Leicester Prison operates at 40% over capacity, housing almost 300 prisoners in a facility designed for just over 200. 

Opened in 1828, the prison has long struggled with overcrowding, leading to deteriorating living conditions. prisoners have limited access to rehabilitation programs and essential services such as health care. 

The overcrowding has also contributed to rising tensions among prisoners, leading to increased violence and self-harm incidents. 

Prison staff are stretched thin, making it difficult to maintain order and provide the necessary support for prisoners.

13. Barlinnie Prison – 40% Over Capacity

Barlinnie Prison, located in Glasgow, is one of Scotland’s most overcrowded prisons, operating at 40% over capacity. 

Opened in 1882, the prison was designed to house around 1,000 prisoners but now holds a little under 1,400. 

The overcrowding has led to substandard living conditions, with prisoners often confined to cramped cells for up to 22 hours a day. 

The prison has struggled to provide adequate rehabilitation programs and health care services due to the sheer number of prisoners. 

Violence against staff is on the rise, and the prison has faced numerous challenges in managing the large population.

12. Hull Prison – 41% Over Capacity

Hull Prison, located in East Yorkshire, operates at 41% over capacity. 

Opened in 1870, the prison was designed to hold just over 675 prisoners but currently houses more than 960. 

The overcrowding has led to poor living conditions, with prisoners often sharing cells designed for one person. 

This has created significant challenges for prison staff, who struggle to maintain order and provide essential services. 

Violence against the prison guards has increased, with many staff walking out in protest in 2018.

11. Brixton Prison – 43% Over Capacity

Brixton Prison, located in London, is another UK facility struggling with overcrowding. 

Built in 1820, the prison was originally designed to house 525 prisoners but now operates at 43% over capacity, holding around 750 prisoners. 

Prisoners face long periods of confinement in their cells due to a lack of space and resources. 

The prison has also struggled to provide adequate rehabilitation programs and health care services.

10. Swansea Prison – 43% Over Capacity

Swansea Prison, located in Wales, operates at 43% over capacity. 

Built in 1861, the prison was designed to hold around 250 prisoners but currently houses over 375. 

The overcrowding has strained the prison’s resources, making it difficult to provide adequate care and rehabilitation services. 

Swansea prison has a major issue with self harm and suicide amongst the prisoners.  

A 2019 inspection condemned the living conditions of the prisoners, as well as heavily criticised the cleanliness and sanitation at the prison.

9. Exeter Prison – 46% Over Capacity

Exeter Prison, built in 1853, is one of the UK’s older prisons, designed to hold around 200 prisoners. 

It now operates at 46% over capacity, housing over 300 prisoners. 

The overcrowding has led to poor living conditions, with cells often overcrowded and limited access to essential services such as health care and education. 

Exeter prison has been previously criticised for its low level of care towards the prisoners from staff.

In recent years it has seen a dramatic spike in the levels of violence towards prison officers and self-harm amongst the prisoners. 

8. Altcourse Prison – 52% Over Capacity

Altcourse Prison, located in Liverpool, operates at 52% over capacity. 

Opened in 1997, the prison was originally designed to house around 775 prisoners. 

However, it currently holds more than 1,175 prisoners. 

The overcrowding has led to substandard living conditions, with cells often shared by more prisoners than intended. 

This has created challenges for prison staff, who struggle to provide adequate care and rehabilitation services. 

Illegal drugs are an issue at the prison as a way for prisoners to cope long periods of confinement in cramped conditions.

7. Doncaster Prison – 54% Over Capacity

Doncaster Prison, located in South Yorkshire, operates at 54% over its intended capacity. 

Designed to hold around 725 prisoners, the prison currently houses over 1,100. 

The overcrowding has put immense pressure on the prison’s infrastructure, with inadequate space for rehabilitation programs and limited access to health care. 

Tensions among prisoners have risen due to the cramped living conditions, leading to an increase in violence and self-harm. 

At one point Doncaster prison had the highest suicide rate of any prison in the UK.

6. Wandsworth Prison – 57% Over Capacity

Wandsworth Prison, located in London, is one of the largest prisons in the UK. 

Built in 1851, it was originally designed to hold around 950 prisoners. 

Today, Wandsworth operates at 57% over capacity, with more than 1,500 prisoners. 

The overcrowding has severely impacted living conditions, with prisoners facing long periods of lockdown due to a lack of space and resources. 

Wandsworth prison has faced repeated criticisms for its treatment of prisoners from prison staff. 

Suicide incidents are common as prisoners struggle to cope with the overcrowded conditions.

5. Preston Prison – 57% Over Capacity

Preston Prison, built in 1790, is one of the UK’s oldest operating prisons. 

Originally designed to house around 425 prisoners, the prison now operates at 57% over capacity, with around 675 prisoners, making it one of the overcrowded prisons in the UK. 

This overcrowding has created significant strain on the prison’s infrastructure and limited access to health care and rehabilitation services. 

At one point Preston prison was the most overcrowded prison in England and Wales and operated at 78% above capacity, and 90% of prisoners sharing cells.

4. Bedford Prison – 60% Over Capacity

Bedford Prison, originally opened in 1801, operates at 60% over its capacity. 

The prison was designed to hold around 225 prisoners but now houses more than 350. 

The overcrowded conditions have led to rising violence, self-harm incidents, and deteriorating living conditions. 

The prison has faced numerous inspections and criticisms over the years for its inability to cope with the demands placed on it by overcrowding.

In 2012, the prison had the highest suicide rate of any prison in the UK.

3. Lincoln Prison – 62% Over Capacity

Lincoln Prison, located in the East Midlands, operates at 62% over its intended capacity. 

Opened in 1872, the prison was designed to house around 400 prisoners. However, it currently holds more than 650 prisoners. 

The overcrowding has led to poor living conditions, with cells often shared by more prisoners than intended. 

This has put a strain on the prison’s infrastructure, making it difficult to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. 

Prisoners have limited access to rehabilitation programs, and the overcrowding has contributed to increased violence and tensions between prisoners and staff.

2. Leeds Prison – 71% Over Capacity

Leeds Prison is a UK prison facility operating at 71% over capacity. 

Opened in 1847, this Victorian-era prison was designed to hold around 650 prisoners. 

Today, it houses close to 1,100 prisoners. 

The overcrowding has led to deteriorating living conditions, with prisoners often confined to their cells for long periods due to a lack of space. 

As a result, the prison has seen rising levels of violence and unrest.

Leeds has had 11 deaths at the prison since 2013, the second highest fatality count in all prisons in the UK. 

1. Durham Prison – 72% Over Capacity

Durham Prison is one of the most overcrowded prisons in the UK, operating at 72% over capacity. 

Originally opened in 1819, it has a long history as a local prison serving the North East of England. 

Designed to hold around 575 prisoners, the prison now houses almost 1,000. 

The overcrowding creates severe challenges, particularly in terms of providing adequate health care, rehabilitation services, and ensuring the safety of both prisoners and staff. 

In 2014 over a third of Durham prison inmates tested positive for illegal drugs, which is a rate twice as high as most other prisons in the UK.

Conclusion

That was the 20 most overcrowded prisons in the UK.

Prison overcrowding is a serious issue in the UK, affecting both prisoners and staff. 

Overcrowded prisons lead to poor living environments, limited access to essential services, and increased violence and self-harm. 

Addressing this problem requires urgent action, including investing in new facilities, expanding rehabilitation programs, and exploring alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders.