Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has proposed three measures to increase prison capacity in England and Wales: accelerating deportation of foreign offenders, releasing female prisoners, and reviewing indefinite sentences for lower-risk inmates. The proposals follow his stated confidence that the killers of PC Andrew Harper will not be released early.
Deportation of foreign prisoners faces hurdles
At the end of June 2026, there were 10,134 foreign nationals in prisons across England and Wales, according to the Ministry of Justice. Removing them could be a political win for Burnham, but historical attempts have failed. Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, noted that reciprocal agreements with other countries take time, offering no immediate relief. Tom Wheatley, president of the Prison Governors' Association, added that many foreign offenders are undocumented, making deportation destinations unclear, and ensuring their sentences are served abroad can be difficult, especially for victims of serious crimes.
Women's prisons conversion not straightforward
Ministry of Justice officials have examined diverting female offenders for over a year. Burnham could adopt Greater Manchester approaches that cut women's jail numbers by 55% in eight years. Converting HMP Bronzefield, the largest women's prison, into a men's facility would free 500 spaces, but Wheatley pointed out that many women's prisons lack security for male inmates, and Bronzefield is needed to hold women for London court appearances.
IPP sentence review offers no quick fix
Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences, introduced in 2005 and abolished in 2012, still affect over 2,200 prisoners beyond their minimum tariffs. Neilson noted that about 70% are in lower-security categories, but identifying and supporting them after years in jail requires proper structures, not immediate release. He stressed that freeing up space would not be quick.
Burnham has asked Justice Secretary Alex Norris to examine these options, but experts agree none provide an immediate solution to the overcrowding crisis.
