The Ministry of Justice is facing mounting criticism over controversial plans to extend prisoner lockdown periods to as long as 45 days, according to internal documents obtained by The Independent.
Capacity Crisis Forces Drastic Measures
Whitehall sources confirm the department is preparing emergency measures that would allow prisons to keep inmates confined to their cells for extended durations. This radical approach comes as the government grapples with what insiders describe as a "severe and worsening" capacity crisis within the UK's penal system.
One senior Whitehall official revealed: "The situation has reached critical levels. We're looking at operational changes that would permit establishments to implement prolonged confinement when necessary to manage population pressures."
Human Rights Concerns Mount
Justice campaigners and human rights organisations have expressed alarm at the proposals. They warn that extended lockdowns could violate prisoners' basic rights and potentially breach the government's duty of care.
"Keeping people locked up for 45 days consecutively raises serious human rights questions," said a representative from a leading penal reform charity. "This isn't about security - it's about covering up for systemic failures in prison planning and management."
Government Defends Contingency Planning
While the Ministry of Justice acknowledges exploring "operational contingencies," officials stress that no final decisions have been made. A government spokesperson stated: "We're committed to ensuring our prisons remain safe and secure while expanding capacity through our ambitious prison building programme."
However, critics argue the proposed measures represent a temporary fix for a deep-rooted problem that requires comprehensive reform rather than emergency restrictions that could exacerbate tensions within the prison estate.
