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Yes, prisons in England and Wales are severely overloaded and operating near 99% capacity, with over 60% of institutions reporting overcrowding. As of early 2026, the prison population is at record levels (~87,000–88,000), with over 21,600 prisoners held in crowded, shared cells. This crisis has forced the early release of thousands of inmates and is driven by longer sentences, increased police activity, and limited space.