Committee publication · Correspondence · 17 July 2026
Correspondence from Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, dated 15 July 2026: Update on prison function change at HMP Brixton
From: Justice Committee
Summary
Lord Timpson confirms HMP Brixton will transition to a reception prison from October 2026, holding remand prisoners for court production. Building work is in final stages. The change aims to increase London court prisoner intake capacity and reduce delays in the prison system.
Key findings
- HMP Brixton function change to reception prison confirmed for October 2026 implementation
- Extensive building work necessary for the conversion is in final stages
- Prison will hold remand prisoners for production to court, serving multiple London courts
- Change intended to increase capacity for prisoners received directly from court and reduce system delays
- Previous updates provided in November 2024, December 2024, and March 2025; March 2025 letter cited delays due to building work scope
Tone
ProceduralTopics
prisons-and-detentioncriminal-justicecapacity-managementremand
Key actors
Lord Timpson, Andy Slaughter MP, Justice Select Committee, Ministry of Justice, HMP Brixton, Offender Flows and Configuration Team
Notable line
“HMP Brixton will start holding remand prisoners for production to court in October 2026. This change in function at HMP Brixton will increase capacity to receive prisoners directly from court in London …”
Key Quotes
“HMP Brixton is due to become a reception prison from October”
“… this work is in its final stages and HMP Brixton will start holding remand prisoners for production to court in October”
“This change in function at HMP Brixton will increase capacity to receive prisoners directly from court in London, helping to reduce delays and ensure the prison system can continue safely supporting the courts.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗