The website of the judges, magistrates and tribunal members in England and Wales

24 January 2007

A statement entitled "Managing the Impact of Rapid Growth in the Prison Population" was sent yesterday to the National Criminal Justice Board by the three criminal justice ministers.

The aim of the statement was to alert the Board to pressures on the prison system in England and Wales.

There is already existing guidance from the Court of Appeal Criminal Division that reminds judges of the problems which arise from overcrowding in prison.

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, said today: "The ministerial statement gives a helpful summary of the present situation and is consistent with existing sentencing legislation and well established sentencing principles. In these circumstances I agreed with the Senior Presiding Judge that it should be copied to Judges and Magistrates presiding in the criminal justice system in England and Wales."