Nearly 3,800 prison cells in England and Wales are currently out of service due to a range of environmental and safety concerns, according to data from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The closures stem from multiple issues, including infestations of bedbugs, elevated levels of radon gas, the presence of asbestos, and bacteria known to be associated with lung disease.

The data reveals that the largest single factor contributing to the unavailability of cells is delayed fire safety upgrades, which have resulted in 2,255 cells being taken offline. These delays have compounded longstanding challenges within the prison estate, affecting capacity and the overall management of inmates.

An MoJ spokesperson described the situation as symptomatic of an overstretched prison system, citing inherited infrastructure problems dating back several years. The official emphasized that efforts are underway to address these health and safety concerns, but acknowledged that the scale of the issues has placed significant strain on resources.

The closures have raised concerns about the capacity of the prison system to accommodate inmates safely while maintaining required standards. With a substantial portion of cells offline, authorities face increased pressure to manage prisoner populations within the limited usable space.

Environmental hazards such as radon gas — a naturally occurring radioactive substance — and asbestos, a known carcinogen commonly used in older buildings, pose serious health risks to both inmates and staff. Similarly, infestations of bedbugs, which can cause discomfort and spread infections, exacerbate the challenges of maintaining sanitary conditions within the facilities.

The presence of bacteria linked to lung diseases further underscores the health risks associated with compromised prison environments. These factors collectively highlight the need for extensive maintenance and remedial work across the prison estate.

The MoJ has indicated ongoing initiatives aimed at improving prison infrastructure and addressing these hazards, though progress has been hampered by funding constraints and the complexity of upgrading aging facilities. Stakeholders continue to call for expedited measures to restore cells to operational status and mitigate the impact on prisoner welfare and system capacity.