The plan proposed by Nigel Farage to construct prefabricated ad-hoc prisons has been criticized as “absolutely ridiculous” by the prisons minister. James Timpson, with extensive experience in the justice sector, expressed concerns about the safety of such “papier-mache” jails for both staff and the public. The criticism came ahead of Reform UK’s upcoming annual conference, expected to focus on justice, crime, and migration issues following Mr. Farage’s ‘Lawless Britain’ campaign earlier this summer.
As part of his initiative, Mr. Farage outlined a £5 billion proposal to build five low-security ‘Nightingale’ prisons on unused Ministry of Defence land, aiming to accommodate over 12,000 lower-risk offenders. In response to the proposal, Lord Timpson emphasized the importance of secure prisons to ensure the safety of staff and nearby communities, highlighting the need for adequate security measures given the nature of incarcerated individuals.
Additionally, Mr. Farage suggested creating an additional 10,000 prison spaces by sending serious criminals abroad to serve their sentences, at an estimated cost of £1.25 billion. When asked about potential collaboration with other countries for housing inmates, Lord Timpson redirected attention to Labour’s justice system reforms and their commitment to building 14,000 new prison spaces, emphasizing the focus on a sustainable justice system that serves victims effectively.
The Labour government recently introduced the Sentencing Bill, a significant legislative measure designed to prevent prison overcrowding by offering early release incentives for well-behaved inmates, inspired by the Texan justice system. Despite bold steps to enhance community punishments, Labour faces electoral challenges from Reform UK, potentially jeopardizing long-term justice system reforms if Mr. Farage assumes office.
Lord Timpson expressed confidence in evidence-based decision-making, emphasizing the importance of policies that reduce reoffending, protect the public, and support victims. Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has set a six-month deadline to address the prison overcrowding crisis decisively. Reform UK has been approached for their response to the ongoing discussions on justice system reforms.