Overcrowded prison cell's

During my research on the topic of Panopticism, i came across an article from the BBC news about overcrowding prisoners in overcrowded cells in the UK.

Figures published by the Ministry of Justice show that jails held an average of just over 85,000 prisoners between April 2012 and March this year.( 2013)

"While public services are being cut, ministers should look at more effective and affordable solutions. They need to address the fact the prison population has doubled in just 20 years and move people on to community sentences."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23923321

Could the answer be that the prison system isn't designed well enough? 


In an another article i researched about overcrowding and prison's shutting down,

The prison population in England and Wales currently stands at 83,632. The operational capacity is 90,451.

Five other jails have been closed since the coalition government came to power in May 2010.

The Ministry of Justice said the closure of the seven prisons this year would result in the loss of 2,600 places from prisons and was expected to save £63m per year in running costs.

It said the cost of keeping prisoners in newer prisons was half as expensive as older jails.

More than 30 "run-down and poorly-located" prisons should be replaced by 12 "super-jails" each with thousands of inmates, a report has said.

A spokesman said: "Decisions on the future size of the estate will reflect the current and projected prison population."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20981138

More than 30 "run-down and poorly-located" prisons should be replaced by 12 "super-jails" each with thousands of inmates, a report has said.

Ex-Ministry of Justice deputy director Kevin Lockyer said it could save £600m a year in operational costs alone.

Mr Lockyer said: "We are busting the myth that small is beautiful when it comes to prisons. In fact, newer prisons outperform older ones, regardless of their size.

"We need to build larger, newer facilities that use the most up-to-date technology to monitor inmates.

"New hub prisons will not only reduce reoffending and improve safety, they will also deliver vast financial savings and better value for money for the taxpayer."

Mr Lockyer said the government should focus on cutting the cost per prisoner rather than trying to reduce inmate numbers and closing jails.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22931247