Swansea Prison among 'most overcrowded' in England and Wales

Swansea Prison holds nearly 200 more prisoners than it was designed for Credit: ITV News Wales

Swansea Prison is one of the most overcrowded in England and Wales, according to the Prison Reform Trust. Official figures show that it was built for 240 prisoners, but holds 436.

The Trust has analysed prison population statistics, and put Swansea third on the list of most overcrowded prisons, with the population at 182% of what it was designed to hold.

As of July 27, the Trust said that 77 of 131 prisons in England and Wales were over the Prison Service's Certified Normal Accommodation.

Kennet Prison on Merseyside is the most overcrowded, with 337 prisoners, when it was built for 175. Shrewsbury Prison in Shropshire holds 326 prisoners, when it was designed for 326.

The statistics show there are 7,294 more people in the prison system than it's been designed and built to hold.

On August 17, the overall prison population was 86,801. The figure has increased quickly in recent years, but slowed in recent months.

Overall population rates:

  • 2012 - 86,801

  • 2011 - 86,233

  • 2007 - 80,762

  • 2002 - 70,860