How Much Does It Cost To Keep A UK Prisoner?

The cost of keeping a prisoner in the UK is a significant expense that often raises questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of the prison system. From the price of daily necessities to the broader financial implications on society, the cost of incarceration goes beyond the basics of food and housing. When people talk about crime and punishment, one topic that often comes up is: How much does it actually cost to keep someone in prison in the UK? The answer might surprise you.

Running a prison isn’t cheap and with thousands of people locked up across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the cost quickly adds up. In this blog, we’ll break down the figures, explain what the money is spent on, and explore whether prison is always the most cost-effective solution.

What is the cost of keeping a prisoner in the UK?

The average annual cost of keeping one person in prison in the UK stands at approximately £44,640 per year (2024/25 figures), which translates to roughly £855 per week or £122 per day. This figure includes direct resource expenditure, with variations depending on the prison category, location, and specific needs of the inmate population.

How to breakdown the cost per prisoner

Accommodation:
The largest portion of prison expenditure goes towards staffing and operational costs. Prison officers, administrative staff, healthcare professionals, and support workers account for approximately 45% of the total cost per prisoner. A typical UK prison employs one staff member for every 3.6 prisoners, resulting in significant personnel expenses.

Staffing cost:
One of the highest costs is staffing, including prison officers, healthcare workers, educators, and administrative staff. Staff salaries, training, and benefits contribute significantly to the overall cost of running a prison.

Healthcare:
Healthcare represents another substantial cost in the prison system. The NHS provides healthcare services in UK prisons, with an average annual cost of £4,800 per prisoner. This includes:
- Mental health services
- Substance abuse treatment
- Regular medical care
- Emergency medical services
- Dental care

Rehabilitation or education:
Educational and rehabilitation programs constitute approximately 15% of per-prisoner costs. These essential services include:
- Basic skills training
- Vocational education
- Substance abuse programs
- Behavioral therapy
- Employment preparation
- Life skills training

Food and basic provisions:
The daily cost of feeding a prisoner averages £2.02 per day, totaling approximately £737 per year. This must meet nutritional guidelines while accommodating various dietary requirements and religious considerations. Despite the relatively low per-meal cost, feeding the entire prison population represents a significant annual expenditure.

The impact of rising prisoner costs

The high cost of keeping a prisoner in the UK raises important questions about the effectiveness of the current system. With nearly £47,000 spent per prisoner each year, there is growing debate about whether these funds could be better allocated towards prevention, rehabilitation, and community-based alternatives.

Rehabilitation Over Incarceration
Some argue that the UK should focus more on rehabilitation and less on incarceration. By investing in mental health services, education, and job training, the government could reduce reoffending rates, ultimately lowering the overall cost of the prison system. Programs that help reintegrate former prisoners into society have proven to be more cost-effective in the long run.

The Role of Technology in Reducing Costs
Technology can also play a role in reducing the costs associated with incarceration. For instance, implementing more efficient communication solutions like cheaper prison calls and low-cost prison plans can cut down on the financial burden on inmates and their families. Additionally, virtual court hearings and electronic monitoring are being explored as ways to reduce the need for physical imprisonment.

Regional prisoner costs

Prison costs vary significantly across different regions of the UK. London and Southeast England typically have higher per-prisoner costs due to increased operational expenses and higher staffing costs. Some notable regional variations include:

High-Cost Regions
London: £52,000 per prisoner annually
Southeast England: £48,000 per prisoner annually

Lower-Cost Regions
North England: £41,000 per prisoner annually
Wales: £40,000 per prisoner annually

Historical prisoner costs

Prison costs have risen significantly over the past decade:

2014/15
Average annual cost: £36,000 per prisoner
Daily cost: £98.75

2019/20
Average annual cost: £41,136 per prisoner
Daily cost: £112.70

Who pays for It?

UK taxpayers fund the prison system through general taxation. With around 85,000 people in prison in England and Wales alone, the total annual cost is in the billions.

📌 Example: 85,000 prisoners × £48,000 = £4 billion+ annually

This raises the ongoing debate about whether prison is always the best use of public money—especially for non-violent or short-term offenders.

Is prison the best investment?

This is where it gets complicated. On one hand, prison protects the public and delivers justice. On the other, some argue that the money might be better spent on:
- Prevention and early intervention
- Community sentences and rehabilitation
- Mental health and addiction services
- Youth programmes

Some studies show that community-based alternatives can reduce reoffending at a lower cost.

Reoffending costs the UK more

One of the biggest challenges is that around 48% of adult prisoners reoffend within a year of release. Reoffending comes with its own massive cost both financially and socially.

Investing in rehabilitation while in prison can actually save money long-term by reducing the chance of someone returning to custody.

Helping families save while supporting loved ones

While the government pays to keep someone in prison, families on the outside often carry emotional and financial burdens too especially when it comes to communication. Prison calls can be expensive, and many families spend hundreds of pounds per month trying to stay in touch. That’s why services like Prison Call exist to make it more affordable to speak to your loved one.

It costs tens of thousands of pounds per year to keep just one person in prison in the UK and billions overall. While prison is necessary for serious offences, many believe there should be more focus on rehabilitation, support, and prevention.Whether you're a taxpayer, policymaker, or a loved one of someone inside, it's important to understand the true costs and ask whether we’re using our resources in the best way possible.