UK prisons grapple with double‑bunking as officials ban use of unsuitable cells

The Ministry of Justice has issued a directive telling prison officers across England and Wales to stop using cells that are not fit for double occupancy, a move prompted by a surge in inmate numbers, BBC News reported. Staff in several establishments say they are increasingly forced to share single‑occupancy spaces, even when the rooms lack the basic amenities required for two people.

Front‑line workers describe a daily reality where two prisoners are crammed into cells originally built for one, often without an extra toilet or shower. The guidance, circulated to all prison estates, explicitly states that cells deemed “inadequate” must not be used for double‑bunking, yet many officers say operational pressures leave them little choice. “We are told not to use these cells, but the numbers keep rising and there is nowhere else to put people,” one guard, who asked to remain anonymous, told the BBC.

Official figures show the UK prison estate is operating at roughly 105% of its design capacity, with the inmate population hovering around 80,000 – the highest level in a decade. The latest quarterly report from the Ministry of Justice indicates that the number of prisoners held in cells not intended for double occupancy has climbed by more than a third over the past twelve months.

The overcrowding trend is rooted in a combination of factors that have unfolded over the last ten years. Tougher sentencing guidelines, a rise in violent and drug‑related offences, and a slowdown in the construction of new prison blocks have all contributed to a tighter system. Budgetary constraints have also limited the ability of the prison service to expand capacity or invest in refurbishment, leaving many older facilities ill‑equipped for modern demands.

Human‑rights groups warn that the practice of double‑bunking in unsuitable cells can exacerbate tensions, increase the risk of assaults, and undermine mental‑health support for inmates. The Prison Reform Trust has highlighted that overcrowded conditions are linked to higher rates of self‑harm and reduced access to rehabilitation programmes, potentially feeding a cycle of re‑offending.

The Ministry says it will monitor compliance with the new guidance and explore short‑term measures such as temporary accommodation units and accelerated release schemes for low‑risk offenders. However, prison unions argue that without a long‑term strategy to expand capacity, staff will continue to face the impossible choice of following the directive or leaving prisoners without a place to stay.