Prison population and penal reform: working towards sustainability

The increase in the prison population should be considered in the broader context of a decrease in the overall volume of recorded crime, criminal proceedings, convictions and custodial sentences.

The use of remand is also an important trend in the rising prison population.

more people should be dealt with in the community instead of serving short sentences or being remanded, and that people should spend more time supervised in the community at the end of their sentences, rather than in prison, to help them reintegrate.

Delivering a more effective approach to custody: short sentences, remand and community sentences 

• Further strengthen and support the use of the presumption against short sentences 
• Extend the presumption against short sentences from 12 to 24 months 
• Enhance and strengthen community sentences 
• Electronic monitoring 
• Bail and remand

Prisoner Release Arrangements 

• Automatic early release for long term prisoners 
• Short term prisoner definition