Prison's inmate numbers top 100

Guernsey Prison can now hold up to 122 inmates

The total number of prisoners who are being held at Guernsey's prison has topped 100 inmates on several occasion this year.

That is compared with a 2003 average of 87 occupants being held at Les Nicolles at any one time.

The original building at Les Nicolles, which is in St Sampsons, was only designed for a maximum capacity of 78.

But a new block which was completed earlier this year means up to 122 can be held.

Francis Quinn, Deputy Minister for the Home Department, admitted the numbers were putting an extra strain on resources, but said that without the new wing it would have been a struggle to maintain standards.

He said: "The days when you could put three of four in a cell are no longer acceptable and before the new wing it would have been a struggle.

"Now there are a lot of single cells and some double cells. I believe 122 is the maximum we can take at a push."