The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) have produced statistics today in a report entitled Adult Male Population and Capacity Release which covers the reach of its prison estate in terms of capacity.
It shows a stagnant if declining rate of usable places within a range of hundreds since the start of this year.
It indicates thousands of more places may be needed to allay fears of overcrowding to a point of exceeding capacity and a need to seek alternative arrangements in the justice system.