We have too many prisoners, says new PM Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer, the newly appointed Prime Minister, has expressed his intention to reduce the number of people going to prison. In his first press conference, Sir Keir highlighted that many individuals find themselves back in jail shortly after being released. He emphasized that preventing young people from committing knife crimes would be a key focus for his new government. However, he cautioned that there would be no quick fix to the issue of prison overcrowding, stating, 'We have too many prisoners and not enough prisons.

Sir Keir has appointed James Timpson as the new prisons minister. Timpson, who is the CEO of a shoe repair chain that employs ex-offenders, has previously stated that only a third of prisoners should be incarcerated. In an interview earlier this year, Timpson remarked, 'We're addicted to punishment.

The Labour Party, which secured a landslide victory in the recent general election, has pledged to review sentencing policies. They have also inherited a growing crisis in Britain's prisons and have committed to maintaining the previous Conservative government's early release scheme to alleviate overcrowding. Last week, the Prison Governors' Association warned that jails were on the verge of running out of space.

Former justice secretary Alex Chalk had announced plans to release prisoners early, citing the record-high prison population. He stressed the need for the UK to use prisons more effectively while ensuring that there are always enough places for the most dangerous offenders.

Although details of Labour's review are yet to be disclosed, Timpson's appointment signals a potential shift in approach. Sir Keir has elevated Timpson to the House of Lords, enabling him to serve as prisons minister. Timpson has described prison as a 'disaster' for about a third of inmates and argued that too many people are incarcerated for excessively long periods.

During a press conference, Sir Keir did not explicitly endorse Timpson's views but acknowledged the need for clarity in the use of prisons. He pointed out that many individuals return to prison soon after their release, which he identified as a significant problem.

Sir Keir aims to tackle knife crime and plans to establish a network of 'youth hubs. ' He noted that many individuals could have been diverted from the criminal justice system earlier if they had received adequate support.

Steve Searby, representing the Prison Officers' Association, stated that the crisis has been building for years and that there is no immediate solution. He emphasized the importance of involving experts in addressing the issue.

Labour intends to create 20,000 new prison places by allowing ministers to override local councils on planning decisions. They also plan to retain the early-release scheme for lower-level offenders.

Sir Keir criticized the previous government for failing to build enough prisons and mismanaging the budget. He defended the early-release scheme, arguing that new prisons cannot be constructed overnight.

The current prison population in England and Wales stands at 87,453, nearing the maximum capacity of 88,864.

The Scottish government plans to release between 500 and 550 inmates in the coming months.

Sir Keir convened the first Labour cabinet meeting in 14 years, urging his team to uphold high standards of integrity and honesty.

At his inaugural press conference as Prime Minister, Sir Keir pledged to make tough decisions and confront challenges with 'raw honesty.

Labour faces difficult choices regarding public finances, with forecasts indicating significant spending cuts.

Labour's landslide victory in the general election resulted in 412 seats, while the Conservatives secured 121.

The Liberal Democrats won the Inverness, Skye, and West Ross-shire constituency, bringing their total to 72 seats in Westminster.