Ms Caron McCaffrey:

Prison numbers have been increasing since 2018, after a period of reducing numbers from 2011. That was interrupted by Covid, but since we have come out fully from all the Covid measures, particularly in the courts, we are seeing a sustained increase in the number of people in our custody. During last year, we operated above 100% of our bed capacity for the whole year. Today there are 4,805 prisoners in custody so we are operating at a bed capacity of 107%. The Deputy is right to say that there is significant overcrowding in the female prison population. This population has seen a significant increase. We are at 127% of capacity in the new female prison. However, I would stress that the new female prison is an exceptional facility. It is bright and airy and has great facilities and women are being accommodated not on mattresses on the floor, but on camp beds.