UK Eases Prison Recall Amid Overcrowding, Builds New Jails Planned

The UK is facing a severe prison overcrowding crisis, prompting Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood to implement a policy reducing recall periods for offenders breaching parole to 28 days, aiming to free up about 1,400 prison spaces amid warnings that male prison capacity could be exhausted by November. Scotland's prisons similarly experience significant discipline problems, with over 31,000 breaches recorded in 2023/24, including assaults, drug offenses, and smuggling, exacerbated by staff shortages and funding cuts, according to Scottish Conservative officials. Sky News highlighted the overcrowding issue firsthand at Preston prison, illustrating the strain on both inmates and custodial officers. Meanwhile, historical prison sites such as Mexico's Islas Marías and the UK's Spike Island have transitioned from notorious detention centers to conservation areas or tourist attractions, reflecting a broader trend of repurposing former prisons. These developments underscore the ongoing challenges in managing prison populations and conditions, alongside evolving approaches to prison heritage and rehabilitation.