Court appearances delayed as overcrowded prisons put in emergency measures

Prisons in England are now so full that people newly charged by the police are having their court appearances delayed because there might not be a cell available if they’re sent to jail awaiting trial.

Critics say the whole situation is further evidence of a criminal justice system on the verge of collapse.

The Ministry of Justice says it’s tackling the situation with a scheme known as Operation Early Dawn – which appropriately began at 5.30 this morning.