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Prisons: Population

My Lords, given the tone of comment in the media, will my noble and learned friend confirm that today is not a moment either for panic in the country or for glee on the opposition Benches? Was not the noble Lord, Lord Elton, right to note that successive Governments have faced periodic crises over the prison population and is it not the case that there is no more need now than there has proved to be on past occasions to anticipate a tidal wave of rapists and murderers sweeping across the country? Will not rational people conclude that my noble and learned friend has provided a common-sense answer to the prisons Minister’s dilemma, and is what really matters not that a small proportion of prisoners may be released somewhat earlier than would otherwise have been the case but that the judges continue to have scope to impose prison sentences where they consider that appropriate?