UK Prison Expansion Delayed by Five Years and £4.2bn Over Budget

A government watchdog warns of a 12,400-cell shortage by 2027, citing mismanagement and underinvestment in the prison system.

The National Audit Office (NAO) reports that plans to add 20,000 prison cells are now expected to be completed by 2031, five years later than promised.
The project’s costs have ballooned to an estimated £9.4–£10.1 billion, exceeding initial forecasts by at least £4.2 billion.
The prison system faces a projected shortfall of 12,400 spaces by 2027, even if the expansion is completed as planned.
Critics blame previous governments for failing to align criminal justice policies, such as longer sentences, with adequate prison capacity planning.
Campaigners and experts argue for reducing reliance on incarceration and addressing systemic issues rather than attempting to build out of the crisis.