The Ministry of Justice has abandoned its commitment to equip all prison cells with automatic fire detection systems by 2027, leaving more than 21,000 prison places in England and Wales without basic fire safety measures. This decision comes after eleven prisoners, including Clare Dupree, died in cell fires due to the lack of legally required fire alarms.
Rising Cell Fires and Overcrowding Crisis
Cell fires have increased by 124 per cent over the past five years, now averaging eight incidents per day. The government cited the severe overcrowding crisis as the reason for not taking non-compliant cells out of use. The Howard League for Penal Reform and cross-party MPs have labelled the situation a 'national scandal', warning that further tragic deaths of both prisoners and staff are inevitable.
Fire Safety Regulator Warnings Ignored
Despite repeated warnings and enforcement notices from the fire safety regulator, and some prisons being classified as highly unsafe, no new deadline has been set for essential upgrades. The Ministry of Justice's U-turn has drawn sharp criticism, with campaigners demanding immediate action to prevent more loss of life.
