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Tories unveil overhaul-plans for UK prison system

03/03/2008

The Conservatives have unveiled plans to overhaul the UK prison system, including proposals to create 5,000 more places.

A week after the prison population hit an all-time high of 82,180, David Cameron said the status quo "isn't working".

In the policy blueprint the Tory leader reveals support for minimum and maximum sentencing and the replacing of automatic release with earned release.

The Tories, who claim half of all crime is committed by previous offenders, also wanted to make community sentences tougher by withdrawing benefits for those who do not offend.

"For too long, Labour have refused to build the prison places that are needed," Mr Cameron argued.

"And for too long, they have allowed prisons simply to warehouse criminals rather than reforming them. The result is our chronic rate of re-offending: two out of three ex-prisoners are reconvicted within two years of release."

The Tory leader added that the plans would "deliver justice for victims".

But prison minister David Hanson said the policy document was "yet another un-costed spending commitment" from the Tories.