I see this chestnut has resurfaced. Perhaps understandably the Prison Officers are complaining about it.
Thing is no one ever wants to do anything about the problem which I would suggest is going to get worse in these times of austerity.
Build more prisons? Who pays for them? Privatise them? Not really such a good idea methinks. Just allow it to continue and apparently breed re offenders? Don't send people to prison as they know there are insufficient spaces instead fine or community service both of which don't get executed.
Maybe some former disused armed forces bases could be converted (using prison labour) to create more cells and learn skills?
I was shocked to the core by the comments and pictures of some inmates froim a central Midlands prison on BBC1 this morning. "I have been in prison five times" and so on. Most re offended within 12 months. Two to a cell with a shared toilet with no privacy but a Tv and a plasma screen in the well equipped Gym. Maybe they ought to put the prisoners in old folks homes and the old folks in the prisons. (old comment but still amusing)
Old news item -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-15822507