Prison crisis a product of short-sighted Government policies

2.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 22nd Jul 2008

Commenting on today's Justice Select Committee report, which blames 'failures of policy and implementation' for the prison overcrowding crisis, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"This devastating report makes it perfectly clear that the current prison overcrowding crisis is a product of the Government's short-sighted criminal justice policies.

"Ministers have pursued a course that sounds tough but is not based on evidence.

"The report adds to the chorus of disapproval on indeterminate sentences and on 'short sharp shock' tactics. But, more importantly, it destroys Lord Carter's preposterous proposals for Titan prisons.

"It is time to turn away from knee-jerk populism towards the more considered approach the Select Committee advocates."