CHELMSFORD Prison could have as few as ten cells left amid an ongoing crisis over the availability of spaces across the UK.

Reports claim judges in England and Wales have been urged to delay imprisoning some criminals due to a nationwide lack of spaces.

The latest figures published by the Ministry of Justice reveal Chelmsford Prison housed 713 prisoners in August, ten under its operational capacity of 723.

The figures for September have not yet been made public and may have changed during last month.

Gazette: On the brink - Chelmsford prison had just ten cells left in AugustOn the brink - Chelmsford prison had just ten cells left in August (Image: Newsquest)

The total of 713 prisoners in August represents a small rise from the 709 individuals based at the Category B men’s facility in July.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk is expected to address the prisons crisis during a statement to the House of Commons on Monday.

It comes as Lord Edis, the senior presiding judge in England and Wales, ordered the sentencing of convicted criminals currently on bail to be delayed from Monday, The Times has reported.

Rapists and burglars could be among those whose sentencing is put off, the newspaper said.

Gazette: Warning - judges at Chelmsford Crown Court could be asked to delay sentencings where custody is likelyWarning - judges at Chelmsford Crown Court could be asked to delay sentencings where custody is likely (Image: Newsquest)

Health Secretary Steve Barclay acknowledged there is “huge pressure” on the prison system on Thursday.

However, he refused to confirm or deny if judges have been told not to jail some criminals due to prisons nearing capacity.

Chelmsford Prison's previous notable inmates include Alfred George Hinds who, while serving a 12-year sentence for robbery, broke out of the facility.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The criminal justice system has seen unprecedented growth in the prison population, following the pandemic and barristers’ strike, particularly among those awaiting trial, with 6,000 more prisoners on remand than pre-pandemic.

“The Prison Service has already put in place measures such as rapid deployment cells and doubling up cells to help manage these pressures.

“The Government is carrying out the biggest prison building campaign since the Victorian era to build 20,000 new places, making sure we always have the places we need.”