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Limit jail sentences, urges Reid Limit jail sentences, urges Reid
(about 1 hour later)
Judges and magistrates are being asked to jail only the most dangerous and persistent criminals.Judges and magistrates are being asked to jail only the most dangerous and persistent criminals.
The home secretary and law chiefs have sent them a letter as the number of inmates in England and Wales hovers around the jail capacity of 80,000.The home secretary and law chiefs have sent them a letter as the number of inmates in England and Wales hovers around the jail capacity of 80,000.
The government said the move was necessary while plans to create 8,000 more prison places go ahead. The government said the move was necessary while plans to create 8,000 more prison places went ahead.
It comes as the BBC learns Norwich jail is to reopen a wing declared "unfit" by inspectors because of cell shortages.It comes as the BBC learns Norwich jail is to reopen a wing declared "unfit" by inspectors because of cell shortages.
The Home Office confirmed that up to 150 remand prisoners will be housed in A Wing as a short-term measure, just days after it closed for refurbishment. The Home Office confirmed that up to 150 remand prisoners will be housed in Norwich's A-Wing as a short-term measure, just days after it closed for refurbishment.
The developments at Norwich Prison are a sign of how serious the overcrowding crisis has become, said BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw. The prison's Independent Monitoring Board described A-Wing as a "horrible" Victorian block in a "very bad state of repair".
HAVE YOUR SAY The answer is to build more prisons and do it fast Piers Catton, Gosport Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The answer is to build more prisons and do it fast Piers Catton, Gosport Send us your comments
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw says the developments at Norwich Prison are a sign of how serious the overcrowding crisis has become.
Officials will advise Home Secretary John Reid that he may soon have no alternative but to order the release of inmates nearing the end of their sentences, our correspondent said.Officials will advise Home Secretary John Reid that he may soon have no alternative but to order the release of inmates nearing the end of their sentences, our correspondent said.
The government will have 350 extra places in a prison on Merseyside in the spring, but its 8,000 new places will not all be ready for four years, with funding and sites yet to be fully approved.The government will have 350 extra places in a prison on Merseyside in the spring, but its 8,000 new places will not all be ready for four years, with funding and sites yet to be fully approved.
'Acute challenge''Acute challenge'
The letter from Mr Reid, Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer and Attorney General Lord Goldsmith said courts should not be "squandering taxpayers' money to monitor non-dangerous and less serious offenders".The letter from Mr Reid, Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer and Attorney General Lord Goldsmith said courts should not be "squandering taxpayers' money to monitor non-dangerous and less serious offenders".
Offenders who should be sent to jail won't be, and all because the government failed to listen David DavisShadow home secretary 'Unfit' prison wing reopens Offenders who should be sent to jail won't be, and all because the government failed to listen David DavisShadow home secretary 'Unfit' prison wing reopens class="" href="/1/hi/england/norfolk/6292917.stm">'Unfit' wing reopens
"The public have a right to expect protection from violent and dangerous offenders," it said."The public have a right to expect protection from violent and dangerous offenders," it said.
"Prisons are an expensive resource that should be used to protect the public and to rehabilitate inmates and stop them reoffending.""Prisons are an expensive resource that should be used to protect the public and to rehabilitate inmates and stop them reoffending."
A Home Office spokesman said the issue of prison spaces was now an "acute challenge" for everyone in the criminal justice system.A Home Office spokesman said the issue of prison spaces was now an "acute challenge" for everyone in the criminal justice system.
"We are accelerating accommodation arrangements where possible and examining all options for extra capacity in the prison estate as a matter of urgency.""We are accelerating accommodation arrangements where possible and examining all options for extra capacity in the prison estate as a matter of urgency."
'Failure of ministers' Negligence accusation
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said it was "outrageous" court sentences were being dictated by the prison capacity and not the offence committed. Following Wednesday's revelations, pressure groups and opposition politicians roundly condemned the government's criminal justice policies.
Shadow home secretary David Davis said it was "outrageous" court sentences were being dictated by the prison capacity and not the offence committed.
"Yet again we see the public are being put at risk by the failure of ministers," he said."Yet again we see the public are being put at risk by the failure of ministers," he said.
"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." The Lib Dems' Nick Clegg said the government's "arrogance and incompetence" had led to the crisis.
The Prison Officers Association called for an early release programme and more funding for jails. Juliet Lyon, of the Prison Reform Trust, accused ministers of "criminal negligence" for allowing the jail population to spiral so dramatically.
"We've seen year-on-year cuts since Labour party came to power in investment in prisons. We have chronic situation as regards staffing," said association chairman Colin Moses. And the Prison Officers Association called for more funding to avoid the same thing happening next year.
He warned that prisons would be in the same situation in a year's time if no action was taken. Operation Safeguard, whereby police cells are used to house prisoners in England and Wales, began again this month.
Operation Safeguard, in which the Home Office asks English and Welsh police forces to look after prisoners, began again this month. It is understood about 480 people stayed in police stations on Monday and cells at the Old Bailey were also made available this week.
Prison spaces are in such short supply it is understood about 480 people stayed in police stations on Monday and cells at the Old Bailey were also made available this week.