Prisons in England and Wales exceed safe capacity by ~5,000 inmates, a persistent issue across administrations, with recent measures including early release of 5,000 prisoners from 1 September.
Ministers in England and Wales are examining security upgrades at category C and women's prisons to alleviate severe overcrowding, while Estonia has rejected a proposal to rent out prison cells to the UK.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Novaya Gazeta editor Dmitry Muratov discusses Russia's crackdown on independent journalism, the surge in political prisoners, and the ongoing war in Ukraine in an exclusive interview.
I prigionieri politici a Cuba sono saliti a 1.327 a fine luglio, secondo Prisoners Defenders. La Ong denuncia un inasprimento della repressione, inclus l'arresto di un tredicenne e nuovi fermi legati alle proteste per i blackout.
Fifty UK police leaders have urged the prime minister to block the early release of PC Andrew Harper's killers, as unions warn emergency prison space plans risk mistakes and probation staff vote to strike.
Director Felix Randau's new film 'I Is Another', premiering at Locarno, dismantles the postwar myth that Heinrich Himmler's masseur Felix Kersten was a heroic savior who rescued thousands from concentration camps.
Prisoners in Western Australia are receiving up to $10.15 a week to sleep on cell floors due to severe overcrowding, which judges have cited as grounds to reduce criminal sentences.
Bereaved families in the UK have condemned government plans to release prisoners early to ease overcrowding, warning that dangerous offenders, including killers and child cruelty convicts, may walk free and undermine justice.
Andy Burnham's intervention modifies the UK's prison early release scheme, excluding those convicted of rape, serious child sexual offenses, and grooming, reducing the number of early releases from 6,000 to 5,000 over 10 months.
Rapists and child sex offenders are excluded from early prison release plans in England and Wales to ease overcrowding, though domestic abusers and killers remain eligible.
A proposed early release scheme for 6,000 prisoners in England and Wales, paused by Andy Burnham after victim outcry, faces warnings of chaos from probation officers. The Prime Minister ordered a review to minimize public risk, as prisons near capacity.
Andy Burnham paused a scheme for early prisoner release in England and Wales, initially set for September, after strong criticism from victims' families, including PC Andrew Harper's widow, and survivors. Justice Secretary Alex Norris confirmed a review to ensure proper implementation and victim information.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has paused an early release scheme for 6,000 prisoners, including serious offenders, after an outcry from crime victims and warnings from probation officers. An urgent review will assess risks before any releases proceed.
PC Andrew Harper's widow, Lissie Harper, called the potential early release of two of his killers "deplorable" as Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a review of the Sentencing Act, which allows for earlier release of thousands of offenders in England and Wales to ease prison overcrowding.
UK ministers Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood apologized for "ribbing" about the early release of prisoners on camera, drawing strong condemnation from victims' groups and commissioners who warn the scheme endangers abuse survivors.
Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova confirmed that Russia and Ukraine exchange equal numbers of prisoners of war, with 550 individuals returned by each side. She highlighted cooperation with Ukrainian ombudsman Dmitri Lubinets on exchanges and verifying missing persons lists.
Bucks County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Gaffney was charged with official oppression and other crimes for allegedly secretly photographing nude prisoners with his iPhone and sharing the images with civilian employees, then lying about it.
L'ONG Prisoners Defenders denuncia un record di 1.306 detenuti politici a Cuba a fine giugno, con 32 nuovi casi nell'ultimo mese. L'organizzazione critica il governo per aver intensificato gli arresti mirati e l'uso della privazione medica come repressione.
A violent prison riot in Sri Lanka has resulted in 26 deaths, including seven guards, and over 100 injuries. The clashes, involving two drug gangs at Negombo Prison, are the deadliest in the country's recent history. An investigation has been launched.
A BBC World Service investigation has identified Yurii Temerbek and two other men accused of torturing and sexually assaulting civilians in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. Survivors describe systematic abuse in secret detention centers, with allegations including beatings, electric shocks, and sexual violence. The accused men appear to be living ordinary lives in Russia and occupied Ukraine, while Ukrainian authorities pursue criminal proceedings against them.
HM inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor's final report criticizes Labour ministers for "brutal" cuts to prison education, leading to increased drug use, self-harm, and violence. Taylor warns of risks from upcoming prisoner releases and highlights issues like drone smuggling and long delays for mentally unwell patients.
The death toll from violent unrest at a prison in Negombo, Sri Lanka, has climbed to 25, including four guards. Over 100 people were injured in clashes between rival inmate groups, reportedly over drug trafficking operations. Security forces have been deployed to restore order.
The death toll from violent unrest at a prison in Negombo, Sri Lanka, has risen to 19, including four guards. Over 100 people were injured in clashes between rival inmate groups, reportedly over drug trafficking activities. Security forces have been deployed to restore order.
Two soldiers, identified as South Korean nationals, were captured in Kursk in early 2025. Seoul considers the entire Korean peninsula its territory, making them citizens. Kyiv seeks South Korean arms amid Western supply struggles, while Seoul hesitates due to the active war zone.
