The scale of prison overcrowding across Yorkshire revealed

The scale of prison overcrowding across Yorkshire has today been laid bare as new figures reveal that, on a typical day, thousands of prisoners are crammed into cells holding too many people.

Most prisoners living in overcrowded conditions are forced to share cells designed for one person, while a smaller number are also forced to sleep three to a cell in cells meant for just two.

Figures released by the Howard League for Penal Reform also reveal that three in five men's prisons are holding more people than they are certified to look after.

Local prisons- which tend to hold prisoners on short sentences, awaiting sentence, on remand awaiting trial or awaiting transfer to another prison category - are under the most pressure from overcrowding.

HMP Leeds is the third worst-affected prison in the country with 787 prisoners held in cells that are overcrowded.

HMP Doncaster is the sixth worst-affected prison in the country with 696 prisoners held in overcrowded cells.

HMP Hull also featured in the top 10 with 511 prisoners held in cells that are overcrowded.

Yorkshire prisons and their most notorious inmates

Figures were also revealed for other overcrowded prisons across Yorkshire.

At HMP Humber, an average of 159 prisoners were held in crowded accommodation in the 12 months up to March this year.

HMP Lindholme had an average of 113, HMP Moorland 82, HMP New Hall 64, and HMP Wealstun 45.

The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for a comment.