Prisoners are being held on remand for years, while victims of crime are waiting up similar periods for their cases to be heard in court, the Telegraph reports.
A record 16,200 people are presently imprisoned on remand without being tried or convicted. This is 16% of the total prison population – a 50-year high. The backlog of pending cases has risen to over 66,000, a significant increase from the 38,000 pre-pandemic.
Chief Inspector Charlie Taylor raises the issue of inmates serving their sentences ahead of court appearances, resulting in unexpected, unprepared releases. Prisons are described as “on the edge,” with only 1,100 spaces available out of 89,050, and a surge in violence, self-harm, and suicide.
The prolonged legal delays are taking a toll on victims, forcing them to put their lives on wait. The stress and delays increase the possibility that victims would abandon their claims, adding to an increasing “attrition” rate.
