HMP Wandsworth labelled ‘inhumane’ after being found to be most overcrowded prison in UK
HMP Wandsworth has been labeled 'inhumane' after being identified as the most overcrowded prison in the UK, holding 62% more inmates than its design capacity. The south-west London facility, meant for 894 prisoners, currently houses 1,444, leading to severe strain on conditions and operations. Overcrowding has contributed to a series of high-profile incidents, including escapes and mistaken releases. Inspectors have cited poor staffing, deteriorating infrastructure, and management failures despite recent investment and leadership changes.
- ▪HMP Wandsworth holds 1,444 prisoners against a design capacity of 894, making it the most overcrowded prison in the UK.
- ▪The prison has experienced major incidents, including the 2023 escape of spy Daniel Khalife and the mistaken release of an inmate in 2025.
- ▪Inspectors have described conditions as 'inhumane' and 'unacceptable' due to overcrowding, understaffing, and the prison's 170-year-old infrastructure.
- ▪Category B prisons like Wandsworth are consistently the most overcrowded, according to the Howard League for Penal Reform.
- ▪A Ministry of Justice spokesperson stated that hundreds of millions are being invested to increase prison capacity and improve conditions.
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NewsUKHome NewsHMP Wandsworth labelled ‘inhumane’ after being found to be most overcrowded prison in UKThe chaos at the south-west London prison has been laid bare through a series of high-profile incidents in recent yearsGeorge Lithgow & Ian JonesTuesday 28 April 2026 19:26 BSTBookmarkBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":false,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2966683","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hmp-wandsworth-prison-overcrowding-uk-b2966683.html","title":"‘Inhumane’ HMP Wandsworth is the most overcrowded prison in UK"}}open image in…
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