The prison population currently stands at over 81,000—roughly double what it was a mere 15 years ago. On present projections, in a few years’ time it will be over 100,000.
The prison population currently stands at over 81,000—roughly double what it was a mere 15 years ago. On present projections, in a few years’ time it will be over 100,000. It was predictable therefore that one of Lord Carter’s recommendations in his recent review of prisons would be an increase in the prison building programme (see Securing the Future—Proposals for the Efficient and Sustainable Use of Custody in and , December 2007).
“Careful planning does not preclude social, economic and political pressures leading to changes”
His terms of reference—to consider options for improving the balance between the supply of, and demand for, prison places—were managerial, and Lord Carter is just the man for that job. He did not issue a general call for evidence nor did he publish a consultation paper. There is no mention in his report of the names of those he saw or heard from, nor any