GOVERNMENT PRISON POLICY STILL FAILING - HEATH

12.00.00am GMT Wed 5th Dec 2007

Commenting on Lord Carter's review of the prison system, which was reported to Parliament this afternoon, Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Secretary, David Heath MP said:

"The key to penal policy is protecting the public and reducing re-offending. Current policy fails both tests.

The Carter Review is a thorough piece of work that highlights many of the failures of successive governments in dealing with the crisis in our prisons.

However, the review does miss some key points. If a court considers an offender to be a danger to the public then no judge should be constrained by capacity in the system.

Prisoners who should not be in standard prisons need to be taken out of the system to increase available places. That means investment in secure mental health institutions and drug treatment provision.

Far too many young people are imprisoned when there are other more appropriate sentences. Prison sentences of less than six months simply don't work and should be replaced by tough community sentences.

The Government cannot continue in its belief that this is a problem it can simply build its way out of."