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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Prisoners 'may be released early' | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| More prisoners could be let out early in an effort to reduce overcrowding in jails, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has told the BBC. | |
| He said his priority was "maintaining the confidence of the public", but added that he could not rule out "emergency measures". | |
| Mr Straw also urged judges to hand out fewer short sentences, because they could clog up the system. | |
| The prison population in England and Wales is just 470 below capacity. | |
| The government is promising to provide 2,500 extra places this year. | The government is promising to provide 2,500 extra places this year. |
| In an interview with BBC political editor Nick Robinson, Mr Straw said: "Short sentences are a matter for the courts to decide and it has to be for them. | In an interview with BBC political editor Nick Robinson, Mr Straw said: "Short sentences are a matter for the courts to decide and it has to be for them. |
| Nobody in my position can rule out emergency measures but, by God, I'm working very, very hard to avoid that because this is all about maintaining the confidence of the public Jack Straw | |
| "What I am saying, however, is just think about whether community punishments in appropriate circumstances, which can be very tough, and on average can work better than short sentences, should not be used." | "What I am saying, however, is just think about whether community punishments in appropriate circumstances, which can be very tough, and on average can work better than short sentences, should not be used." |
| When asked about the early-release scheme, he said: "Nobody in my position can rule out emergency measures but, by God, I'm working very, very hard to avoid that because this is all about maintaining the confidence of the public." | When asked about the early-release scheme, he said: "Nobody in my position can rule out emergency measures but, by God, I'm working very, very hard to avoid that because this is all about maintaining the confidence of the public." |
| Mr Straw, speaking during a visit to Highdown prison in Surrey, said one inmate had told him that life inside was "like a holiday camp" and that prisoners should be locked up without access to luxury items such as televisions. | Mr Straw, speaking during a visit to Highdown prison in Surrey, said one inmate had told him that life inside was "like a holiday camp" and that prisoners should be locked up without access to luxury items such as televisions. |
| The minister said that, if he thought that would work, he would consider it. | The minister said that, if he thought that would work, he would consider it. |
| But he pointed out that among older, longer-serving prisoners, providing education and training was a better policy. | But he pointed out that among older, longer-serving prisoners, providing education and training was a better policy. |
| Government efforts | Government efforts |
| Overcrowding in prisons in England and Wales has been a major political issue in recent months. | Overcrowding in prisons in England and Wales has been a major political issue in recent months. |
| Capacity has been exceeded despite concerted attempts by the government to reduce pressures by releasing more prisoners and building more cells. | Capacity has been exceeded despite concerted attempts by the government to reduce pressures by releasing more prisoners and building more cells. |
| Conservative leader David Cameron has said he would build 5,000 more prison places, while the Liberal Democrats have claimed there was no evidence that having so many inmates was "doing any good". | Conservative leader David Cameron has said he would build 5,000 more prison places, while the Liberal Democrats have claimed there was no evidence that having so many inmates was "doing any good". |
| Mr Straw's comments came on a day when the prison population in England and Wales was revealed to be at 81,906, of which 75 were held in police cells. | Mr Straw's comments came on a day when the prison population in England and Wales was revealed to be at 81,906, of which 75 were held in police cells. |
| Useable operational capacity stands at 82,376. | Useable operational capacity stands at 82,376. |