Prison Population in England and Wales Reaches Record Levels

Overcrowding prompts emergency measures as inmate numbers surpass previous highs.

The prison population hit 88,350, the highest since records began in 2011.
A surge in arrests and recent riots contributed to the sharp increase.
Operation Early Dawn has been activated to manage the overflow by holding defendants in police cells.
Plans are in place to release some prisoners early to alleviate pressure.
Government officials are considering building more prisons to address long-term capacity issues.