§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is prepared exceptionally to release all sentenced prison inmates serving sentences of six months or less with a view to bringing the total population in prison service establishments in England and Wales within their total certified normal accommodation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorNo. The power of executive release is one we have always kept in reserve, for use only in the last resort.
We have already taken a number of initiatives to reduce the prison population, both diverting people from custody and greatly expanding the prison building programme. These measures are now taking effect.