Minister admits prisons under ‘huge pressure’ amid reports burglars and rapists will avoid jail

Minister admits prisons under ‘huge pressure’ amid reports burglars and rapists will avoid jail

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risons are under “huge pressure”, a Government minister admitted on Thursday, following reports that judges have been told not to send some rapists and burglars to jail because they are full.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay refused to confirm or deny reports that courts would not be able to jail convicted criminals due to prisons nearing capacity.