Although nominal spending is up compared with 2010-11, the real-term spend on prisons was actually 5.3% lower in 2023-24

Real-terms change relative to a 2010-11 baseline

0%

2023-24

-5.3%

-5

-10

-15

-20

-25

2010-11

2013-14

2016-17

2019-20

2022-23

0%

2023-24

-5.3%

-5

-10

-15

-20

-25

2010-11

2013-14

2016-17

2019-20

2022-23

Guardian graphic. Source: House of Commons Library. The spending of the Ministry of Justice on HM Prison and Probation Service