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Review of prison overcrowding due Review of prison overcrowding due
(about 4 hours later)
Sentencing in England and Wales should be more closely linked to the number of jail places available, a major report is expected to recommend. Sentencing in England and Wales should be more closely linked to the number of jail places available, a major review is expected to recommend.
Lord Carter of Coles' review will advise custodial sentences should only be given if there are empty cells - in a bid to balance demand with supply. Lord Carter of Coles will advise jail sentences in certain cases should be given only if there are empty cells - in a bid to balance demand with supply.
He is also expected to propose limiting indeterminate prison sentences and expanding community penalties.He is also expected to propose limiting indeterminate prison sentences and expanding community penalties.
Ministers are due to stress jail is the only option for dangerous offenders.
The review was set up by ministers to look at prison overcrowding.The review was set up by ministers to look at prison overcrowding.
'Controversial move''Controversial move'
Former justice secretary Lord Falconer tasked Lord Carter with investigating the supply of prison places and demand for them in the short, medium and longer term. Former Justice Secretary Lord Falconer tasked Lord Carter with investigating the supply of prison places and demand for them in the short, medium and longer term.
However, the conclusions of the review are expected to be approved by his successor, Jack Straw.However, the conclusions of the review are expected to be approved by his successor, Jack Straw.
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said Lord Carter's recommendation for the long-term - to only award jail sentences if prison cells are available - is likely to prove controversial.BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said Lord Carter's recommendation for the long-term - to only award jail sentences if prison cells are available - is likely to prove controversial.
Facts and figures on prisons in the UKIn graphicsFacts and figures on prisons in the UKIn graphics
But, our correspondent said, it was not yet clear how the system would operate.But, our correspondent said, it was not yet clear how the system would operate.
Lord Carter consulted the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Phillips, who has also suggested linking resources to the setting of the sentencing framework.Lord Carter consulted the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Phillips, who has also suggested linking resources to the setting of the sentencing framework.
Last month, Lord Philips told a Howard League for Penal Reform event that UK jails were "full to capacity", adding: "We simply cannot go on like this."Last month, Lord Philips told a Howard League for Penal Reform event that UK jails were "full to capacity", adding: "We simply cannot go on like this."
He said the consequences of giving longer sentences for murder and other serious crimes had not been foreseen by ministers and called for more emphasis on fines and community rehabilitation as well as increased effort to tackle family breakdown.He said the consequences of giving longer sentences for murder and other serious crimes had not been foreseen by ministers and called for more emphasis on fines and community rehabilitation as well as increased effort to tackle family breakdown.
Mr Straw is expected to say that imprisonment is the only option for violent and dangerous offenders.
The latest prison population figures show it has dropped to 81,455 from a record high earlier in NovemberThe latest prison population figures show it has dropped to 81,455 from a record high earlier in November
The Ministry of Justice says that, since Labour came into power in 1997, there are 20,000 more prison places - 3,100 of which were built in the last two years.The Ministry of Justice says that, since Labour came into power in 1997, there are 20,000 more prison places - 3,100 of which were built in the last two years.