The prison population of England and Wales has jumped to the highest number in nearly a year and is nearing record levels, despite tens of thousands of offenders being released early in recent months, official figures show.
A total of 88,238 people were in jail as of Monday, up 231 on the previous week and a rise of more than 1,200 in the past two months, according to data published by the Ministry of Justice.
There are just 283 fewer prisoners now than the record high of 88,521 reached in September last year during the aftermath of the summer riots in towns and cities across the UK.
The spike comes despite Government efforts to ease overcrowding by freeing some 26,456 offenders early since last year.
The scheme was launched as an emergency measure in September, with eligible inmates serving more than five years released after serving only 40% of their fixed-term sentence, rather than the usual 50%.
Ministers have since announced further plans to free up space following a major independent review by former Conservative Lord Chancellor David Gauke.
Prisoners in England and Wales, including some serious offenders, could be released after serving a third of their sentence under the reforms, though some inmates, including those with terror convictions, will not be eligible.
Meanwhile, more foreign criminals will be deported before their appeals have been heard as the Government expands its “deport now, appeal later” scheme.
Offenders from another 15 countries, including India, Bulgaria and Australia, will now be included in the scheme, bringing the total to 23 countries under the plans announced on Monday.
Officials have said increasing deportations will help ease pressure on overcrowded prisons.
But figures from the Ministry of Justice from the end of June suggest there are currently just 772 prisoners from the 15 new countries covered by “deport now, appeal later”.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the move, which requires parliamentary approval, would save £54,000 a year per prison place.
