VAPES are starting a record number of fires in prisons, with 80 per cent caused by e-cigs.
There were 2,287 cell fires in 2023 — up 60 per cent on the year before and the most for six years.
There were only 777 prison cell blazes in 2016, which had risen to 1,410 in 2022.
HMP Lowdham Grange, Notts, had the most last year with 126.
Mark Icke, of the Prison Governors’ Association, blamed overcrowding for vape fires.
Ministry of Justice numbers show the prison estate is currently at 98 per cent capacity.
Mr Icke said: “Prisoners have a lot of time in their cells these days to take things apart.
“They use vapes as a route of causing disturbance because they are frustrated by overcrowding.
“E-cigarettes are also tampered with and we’ve seen cases of inmates using them to smoke illicit substances.
“So some of the fires can be accidental.”
Justice minister Edward Argar, who revealed the figures, told Parliament that to tackle the issue, the Government is introducing ignition-free e-cigs for inmates by the end of this year and the beginning of next.
But it is understood the plan is in the early stages.
The Prison Service said: “The majority of cell fires are small and quickly dealt with by staff.
“Prisoners who are found to have started a fire deliberately face further punishment including criminal charges.”
