§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will arrange early release for enough sentenced prisoners to eliminate overcrowding of prisons; and whether they will issue guidance for non-violent offences so as to prevent future overcrowding. [HL411]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)The Government keep under review all appropriate measures to address the rise in the prison population, including the emergency powers that Parliament has provided.
On 4 November the Home Secretary, Lord Chancellor and Attorney-General issued a joint statement (CJS 0006/2002: Effective Sentencing) in which they said:
"We agree with the Lord Chief Justice that prison overcrowding is a serious problem. But we are also clear that if sentences are to be effective in preventing re-offending, the courts need to strike the right balance between dealing with serious and violent crime effectively and the need to keep prison as a last resort in other cases"