HC Deb 23 March 1990 vol 169 c796W
Mr. Cohen

To 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. Mellor

No. 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.