Senator Wendy Kinnard said prison staff were at 'breaking point'

The States approved the Home Affairs Committee budget of just under �37.7m.

But committee president, Senator Wendy Kinnard, warned members she may have to return to the House next year for more money for La Moye Prison.

She described the poor conditions at the prison and said staff were at "breaking point", adding that drastic measures might need to be taken.

Senator Kinnard said releasing prisoners early due to a lack of money would be viewed by many people as "undesirable and irresponsible", and she said it was not something she wanted to do.

But she added: "We may have to face the fact that we can no longer afford to maintain the present prison population."