CAPITAL funding for an expansion of HMP La Moye to cope with rising prisoner numbers is “essential to supporting the criminal justice system”, the States of Jersey Prison Service has said in its latest annual report.
La Moye is the Island’s only prison and is equipped to accommodate up to 200 prisoners.
The service’s newly-published report outlines how the average number of prisoners housed daily has risen, from 138 in 2023, to 155 in 2024 and then 175 last year.
A peak daily population of 184 was recorded in September.
The report notes that first-time prisoners continue to be the “core driver” of the increase, with the level of repeat prisoner custodies “relatively unchanged” in recent years.
But it also acknowledges “additional capacity pressures” that might stem from the introduction of new legislation in 2026 intended to help tackle violence against women and girls.
Home Affairs Minister Mary Le Hegarat has previously said that the reforms are expected to generate “about 275–300 new crimes” a year by the second year of implementation.
The prison service has described population management as “a priority activity for the year ahead, both in terms of managing the current rising prisoner numbers and maintaining security and safety”.
“Our current assessment indicates that La Moye prison has no scope to absorb further population increases within the existing estate,” the service continued.
“Increasing population can only be met through investing in prison infrastructure and spaces, therefore capital funding and support for the proposed development plans will be crucial to enable the States of Jersey Prison Service to effectively respond to the forecasted population pressures.”
It added that such investment was “essential to supporting the criminal justice system and safeguarding the Jersey community”.
Responding to questions from the JEP, prison governor Paul Yates said the population of La Moye Prison “can fluctuate” and yesterday stood at “just below 180 inmates”.
He continued: “In recognition of ongoing population pressures, the States of Jersey Prison Service has a population management strategy in place to ensure that existing accommodation within La Moye Prison is used as effectively as possible.
“The SOJPS has conducted a review of the long-term development plan with provisions for additional residential accommodation spaces being considered as part of the next phase of development.”
He stated that “plan revisions are underway” but noted that these would have to be agreed by the Treasury Department “before capital funding can be approved”.
