Police chiefs say prison crisis in England and Wales is ‘unsustainable’

Chiefs say public safety at risk as a result of crisis measures such as freeing convicted criminals to ease overcrowding

Police chiefs have told ministers they fear that the crisis gripping the Prison Service in England and Wales is “unsustainable” and risks public safety, the Guardian has learned.

Government and prison chiefs have taken a series of crisis measures because of overcrowding, including plans to free convicted criminals early and using police cells to house those who otherwise would be in jail.