Official announcements from the Prison Officers' Association or credible news sources

UK Activates 'Operation Early Dawn' to Tackle Prison Overcrowding in Northern England

Aug 19, 2024, 06:09 AM

The UK government has activated emergency measures to address prison overcrowding in northern England, following recent far-right riots. The initiative, known as Operation Early Dawn, involves holding defendants awaiting court appearances in police cells until prison space becomes available. This move comes as more rioters are being sentenced, exacerbating the existing strain on the prison system. The Ministry of Justice has taken these steps to prevent further overcrowding as hundreds face prosecution. Mark Fairhurst from the Prison Officers' Association described the situation as 'one in, one out.'