logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
26m 28s

Why thousands of UK prisoners are being ...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

There is an overcrowding crisis in UK prisons. There are also problems with gang violence, drug abuse, self harm and a record number of weapons now being made in jails. To deal with the chronic overcrowding, the UK government has begun releasing thousands of prisoners early in England and Wales.

Katya Adler is joined by senior UK correspondent Sima Kotecha to talk about her time inside one of Britain's most notorious jails as they examine how the prison system in England and Wales has been stretched to breaking point.

Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts and Eleanor Sly

Sound engineers: Matt Dean and Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Up next
Yesterday
Trump’s ‘CEO of everything’
The billionaire Larry Ellison could soon control huge portions of America’s AI, attention economy and legacy media. He already owns swathes of AI infrastructure and is preparing to takeover TikTok, whilst his son, whose company already owns Paramount, is preparing a deal to buy W ... Show More
26m 19s
Oct 7
One man's quest to get his brothers released from Gaza
On October 7 2023 Hamas attacked Israel, taking 251 people hostage. Gali and Ziv Berman were among them – twin brothers who lived on a kibbutz near the Gaza border. They were 24 years old. Now, after 2 years they are among the remaining hostages still being held in captivity. But ... Show More
26m 31s
Oct 6
Is Trump on the brink of achieving peace in Gaza?
Mediators for Hamas and Israel are set to meet in Egypt on Monday for indirect talks, after Hamas agreed to a US peace plan. It’s a stunning diplomatic breakthrough for Donald Trump, whose plan proposes an immediate end to fighting and the release within 72 hours of 20 living Isr ... Show More
26m 37s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
Prisoners celebrate - but is early release good news?
On Tuesday, 1,700 prisoners were released early from their sentences in the first phase of Labour's plan to tackle overcrowding.        Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson says the prisoners will serve the rest of their sentence under the strictest licensing conditions, but ther ... Show More
18m 26s
Sep 2024
Can you fix the prison service?
In a rare insight into the prisons crisis, a serving governor at one of the UK's crowded jails has spoken anonymously to Sky News about conditions inside, the reality of early release and why we should rethink who is put behind bars.     "There is a smell that you would always as ... Show More
18m 26s
Sep 2024
From the archive: Undercover at one of the UK's most dangerous prisons
In the week that thousands of inmates were freed early from prison, we revisit our recent undercover investigation which prompted an urgent investigation by the Ministry of Justice. Our reporter revealed a worrying lack of security at HMP Bedford which houses dangerous criminals. ... Show More
33m 55s
Jul 2024
What's in Australia's first national prison newspaper? Hopes and dreams
Australia is getting its very first national prison newspaper – About Time.  It's aim is to be distributed to every prison cell in the country, and it's publishers will focus on issues that affect incarcerated people – including changes to criminal laws and the justice system, ne ... Show More
12m 50s
Nov 2024
Why are men jailed at US prison setting themselves alight?
Imprisoned people are setting themselves on fire at a US jail. At Red Onion State Prison in Virginia, we examine the racism and abuse that leave them feeling they have no other way to protest. Are these issues isolated to Red Onion, or do they reflect a deeper, systemic problem w ... Show More
18m 47s
Sep 2024
Inside out: How to fix the UK’s prison system + Labour embraces unpopularity
Exclusive INCOGNI Deal ➼ go to https://incogni.com/podsavetheuk to get 60% off your annual plan!The government has won a vote in the commons over its controversial winter fuel payments - but Keir Starmer knows he’s not winning over the public. Unpopular decisions are the theme of ... Show More
54m 50s
Aug 2024
The Secret Life of Lifers | Part 1
The Secret Life of Prisons is produced by a charity, the Prison Radio Association. To make a donation please visit prison.radio/donate.  -- What is it like to receive a life sentence? We're joined by two people who have had this experience - both have been to prison and are now o ... Show More
58m 30s
Jun 2024
Prison Hulks: Floating Hells for Convicts
Convicts, illegal dissections, disease, all taking place on ships described as "Wicked Noah's Arks" where conditions were even worse than in notorious prisons like Newgate. Transportation to Australia awaited those who survived, and they counted themselves the lucky ones. Today i ... Show More
38m 10s
Jun 2025
Episode 1043: One of Ireland's most violent criminals released from Midlands Prison
Gardaí have issued an alert after a former champion boxer regarded as one of Ireland’s most dangerous prisoners was released.Brendan Cummins was involved in a series of violent attacks in jail - including pouring boiling water on a prison officer.Niall speaks to Eamon Dillon abou ... Show More
19m 56s
Sep 2024
Is it really possible to “smash” the smuggling gangs?
This year has been the deadliest on the English Channel in three years. Six children and a pregnant woman are among the twelve who died on Tuesday after their boat sank off the French coast, bringing the number killed in 2024 to nearly 40.  Today, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper ... Show More
21m 39s