Sky News Exclusive: Inside Britain's Overcrowded Prisons

Preston Prison Overcrowding: A Sky News Exclusive In a Sky News exclusive, Lead Politics Presenter Sophy Ridge gained unprecedented access to HM Preston Prison, a Category B men's facility in Preston, UK. The visit revealed alarming overcrowding, with the prison operating at 156% of its capacity, according to the Howard League for Penal Reform. Ridge's report highlights the impact of this overcrowding on both inmates and staff. During her tour, Ridge noted the cramped living conditions and the strain on resources. She observed, "Frankly, like so many other prisons, it's constantly on the brink of capacity, or even beyond capacity." The prison, a Victorian structure built in 1790, is struggling to accommodate the current inmate population. The report underscores the urgent need for prison reform and increased resources to address the issue of overcrowding in the UK prison system. The exclusive footage offers a stark portrayal of the challenges faced within the prison walls, prompting a call for action to improve conditions and alleviate the strain on the system.