Outdated prisons

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Peter Bryson, a former prison redevelopment expert, warned that Victorian-era prisons are inadequate for managing today's inmate population, particularly due to issues like widespread drug addiction. He advocates for constructing new, modern prisons and retiring the outdated facilities, as upgrading old prisons cannot fully address current security and rehabilitation challenges.

A former prison redevelopment professional has highlighted concerns over the suitability of Victorian-era prisons for managing today's inmate population. According to Peter Bryson of Addingham, West Yorkshire, the outdated prison facilities were originally constructed for a different period and type of offender, making them ill-equipped to address contemporary challenges.

Bryson emphasizes that many current inmates struggle with drug addiction, which contributes significantly to disciplinary and security issues within the prison system. He argues that attempts to modernize and upgrade these historic facilities are unlikely to resolve inherent structural shortcomings.

Instead, Bryson suggests that building new, appropriately sized prisons on fresh sites represents the only viable long-term solution. Once new facilities are operational, he recommends decommissioning and selling off the old Victorian prisons, describing them as relics unsuitable for current correctional needs.

The commentary underscores ongoing debates around prison infrastructure, reflecting broader concerns about how best to manage prisoner rehabilitation and security in line with modern standards and the evolving profile of the incarcerated population.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.