INCREASE IN THE PRISON POPULATION

That this House is concerned by the Government's recent decision to further increase the prison population by over 400 inmates; notes the ongoing rise in the prison population in each consecutive year since the Government came to power and the consequences such increases in the population have on staff and inmates, including a higher number of assaults; is alarmed that the Government has closed over 20 prisons since 2010 and thousands of prison staff have left the service under voluntary exit schemes putting additional pressure on all remaining staff; further notes the repeated warnings Ministers have received from hon. Members, trade unions and the Chief Inspector of Prisons regarding an increase in the prison population; and calls on the Government to stop its plans to further increase the prison population and instead focus on adequate resources and further investment in the public sector prison service.