At last, it’s happened. After months of warnings, the government has today activated emergency measures to ease prison overcrowding. Across the north of England defendants waiting for a court appearance will be kept in police cells until prison space is available. The system, known as ‘Operation Early Dawn’, was activated this morning – the second time in fourth months.
Under the measures, defendants will only be summoned to a magistrates’ court when a space in prison is available. Prior to this, they will be kept in police holding cells or released on bail while they await trial. Prisons in the North East and Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire, Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire regions will all be effected, with the Ministry of Justice insisting that anyone who ‘poses a risk to the public’ will not be bailed.
Even before the riots, the prison system was at breaking point
Today’s move comes as more rioters are being sentenced for their role in the recent unrest.
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