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Offender Management Bill

Except that the adjusted figure is the same across probation and non-probation, which tends to answer the hon. Gentleman’s point. Many people throughout the criminal justice system have concluded that for a lot of offenders—clearly not all—prison simply does not work. The hon. Member for Monmouth (David T.C. Davies) mentioned part of the Carter report, and I referred to another part of it that was at direct variance with what he said; no doubt he and I picked up on what was convenient to us. However, the report concluded that a 22 per cent. increase in the prison population since 1997 is estimated to have reduced crime by around 5 per cent. It stated:"““There is no convincing evidence that further increase in the use of custody would significantly reduce crime””." There we have it.