‘We must reduce numbers’

This commentary examines the growing crisis of prison overcrowding and argues that simply building more prison places is not a sustainable solution. Instead, it calls for a serious debate about why prison numbers continue to rise and whether alternative approaches could better serve both public safety and rehabilitation. The piece explores the financial, social and practical consequences of an overburdened prison system, questioning how resources can be used more effectively to reduce reoffending and create better outcomes for society as a whole