Calls for limits on jail sentences

The Home Secretary and law chiefs have called on judges and magistrates to jail only the most dangerous and persistent criminals.

John Reid, Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer and Attorney General Lord Goldsmith have sent a letter to judges and magistrates in a bid to ease the pressure on Britain's overcrowded hails.

The number of inmates in prisons in England and Wales is currently close to the 80,000 capacity. Plans to create an additional 8,000 new prison places are still at the planning stage with funding and sites still to be approved.

It has also been reported that a wing of Norwich Prison, which was declared unfit by inspectors, is to be re-opened in order to help meet the shortage of cells.

Mr Reid said: "The public have a right to expect protection from violent and dangerous offenders. We should not be squandering taxpayers' money to monitor non-dangerous and less serious offenders."

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Tony Blair said that other options, such as the use of prison ships and army camps, would not be ruled out in attempts to reduce prison overcrowding. He said: "All options, of course, are kept under consideration all of the time".

However, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis described the move as "outrageous". He said: "It is outrageous that sentences are being dictated by the prison capacity and not by the crime committed.

"Yet again we see the public are being put at risk by the failure of ministers. Offenders who should be sent to jail won't be, and all because the government failed to listen to our and other calls to address the lack of prison capacity over the last few years."

(KMcA)