Search: Tories prison ships
Prison ships could be used to ease crowding in jails under a Conservative government, it has been revealed.
The move does not feature in the party's draft election manifesto, but officials confirmed that it is being considered as a means of meeting David Cameron's pledge to end the Government's early release scheme.
Britain's last floating jail, HMP The Weare, was sold in 2005 after eight years holding prisoners off Portland, Dorset.
The ship's temporary stint as a jail was controversial, with the Chief Inspector of Prisons denouncing it unfit for purpose because of the lack of access to fresh air and exercise.
But it is thought that a Tory government may have to resort once more to prison ships in order to halt the End of Custody Licence scheme, which was introduced in England and Wales in 2007 and allows non-violent offenders to be freed up to 18 days before their due date.
Opposition parties have criticised the scheme for fuelling crime, but ministers insist it is a carefully-considered means of reducing overcrowding until new prison places are available.
Advertisement starts
Advertisement ends
Falling property prices have sparked doubts over Conservative plans to raise the cash needed to build new prison capacity by selling off Victorian-era jails in prime city centre locations, forcing the party to look at alternatives.
Asked about the prospect of prison ships, Conservative spokesman said today: "This proposal has not been included in our draft crime manifesto.
"But it is something we are considering as a way of ending Labour's early release scheme that has allowed 75,000 offenders to be released early from prison."
