Expert Witness Journal Issue 63 October 2025 - Flipbook - Page 52
overcrowding and the conditions in which prisoners
are expected to live as a result of this, would understandably result their mental health being adversely
impacted. Overcrowding will also inevitably impact
vulnerable prisoners as well as the effectiveness of
preventing prisoner on prisoner assaults as it will be
harder to monitor those risks and intervene.
Government Response on 16th May 2025
The Government provided a response to the prison
overcrowding, noting the following key points:
l It will apply lessons learned from past-building
projects to improve future delivery.
l It will improve planning for prison places, with
better risk and planning permission strategies.
Whilst overcrowding within the prison system needs
to urgently be addressed, a more appropriate solution
is needed to address overcrowding without reliance
on police cells. This approach is entirely unsuitable,
and will no doubt have a detrimental effect on the
emotional and physical welfare of prisoners; it appears
to be a short-term, short-sighted attempt at a solution
and is effectively one that kicks the can down the road
without properly and effectively addressing any of the
problems raised by the PAC. As a consequence, it is
anticipated that those within the prison system will
inevitably be more vulnerable to harm, and to
experiencing a breach of their Convention rights.
l The creation of a separate business case for the
prison maintenance backlog was rejected, with the
Government stating that the funding depends on the
Spending Review
l It will update Parliament after the spring 2025
Sentencing Review covering maintenance, capacity
and probation impact.
l It acknowledged emergency measures are costly
and is now using investments to push for long -term
funding.
l It disagreed with recommendation of extra
evaluation of risk assessments for new prisoners, instead stating that existing safety processes are in place.
We believe that every individual – including those in
custody, deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness. Our Civil Liberties & Human Rights team has a
long history of holding the state to account when people’s rights are violated in prison or detention settings.
If you or a loved one has been affected by poor prison
conditions, inadequate healthcare, or potential
breaches of your human rights, we’re here to help.
Contact our legal experts on 0330 029 1587 today to
discuss your concerns in confidence.
www.hja.net
l It will assess the impact of overcrowding on selfharm and violence and is already monitoring prison
safety data.
l It agreed to improve access to education, work and
time outside the cells and holding prisoners accountable for delivery.
l Noted plans to improve rehabilitation and reduce
reoffending will be shared after the Sentencing
Review and this will include funding and targets.
Potential consequences of overcrowding
The response outlined above indicates a lack of
urgency in addressing these concerns. Notably the
following consequences are likely to be experienced
by those living in overcrowded and unsuitable
conditions, which may have long-lasting consequences.
l Overcrowding and poor living conditions may
result in breaches of Article 3 (which prohibits inhuman or degrading treatment) and/or Article 8 of the
European Convention on Human Rights (a right to
private and family life).
Mr Ian Broughton
Illicit drugs and firearms
Urban street gangs and street slang
l The ability to deliver programmes aimed at
supporting rehabilitation may be compromised insofar as there are insufficient resources to meet demand,
which in turn is likely to impact the reoffending rates
(further compounding the existing difficultly of overcrowding). In addition, a lack of educational and therapeutic programmes will inevitably decrease the
chance of a person successfully integrating back into
society.
Ian is the founder and director of Expert Witness Services Ltd, and the former
Specialist Drugs Advisor and the Lead Expert Witness Coordinator of the Metropolitan
Police, London, U.K. A former New Scotland Yard detective with unparalleled
experience of the illicit drugs trade within the U.K. and beyond.
Ian has over 34 years experience of drugs and firearms investigations as both the
lead investigator and supervisor and over 20 years experience in performing the
role of the Expert Witness. Highly commended by the Metropolitan Police, the
National Crime Agency, and Judges in criminal trials, you can be assured that you
are receiving genuine expertise in a unique and dynamic field.
Ian's areas of expertise are extensive and are the primary reasons why he was invited
onto many national working groups and committees. From social supply to street
dealing, county lines to encrypted communications and Organised Crime, Urban street
gangs and street slang to the Chemsex scene, illicit drugs labs and cannabis cultivation.
l A lack of therapeutic support, as well as treatment
and assistance in addressing drug and alcohol use,
may result in individuals needing that help being unable to access it (again increasing the risk of reoffending on release, and further continuing the problem of
overcrowding)
Ian is the lead trainer at Expert Witness Services and continues to deliver Expert
Evidence and Drugs Awareness training to U.K. Police Services. The feedback received
from serving police officers and staff speaks for itself and can be viewed via the website.
Contact Name: Mr. Ian Broughton
Tel: 07863 166 363 - Website: www.expertwitnessservices.co.uk
Email: admin@expertwitnessservices.co.uk
Area of Work: Nationwide & International
l The increased risk of self-harm and suicide; a lack
of adequate mental health resources due the overcrowding would likely result in a higher rate of selfharm and higher risk of suicide. The fact of
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2025
