[continued from previous message] 
  
 what it is designed for; it can never be fit for that purpose. 
 Politicians have created a panic about crime so the public now fear 
 there won't be enough space in prison for all the people who are guilty 
 of offences. They have trapped themselves in a debate where they tell 
 the public there is nothing wrong with the system, then enact more 
 criminal laws to change it." 
  
 Jackie Worrall Director of policy, Nacro, crime reduction charity: 
  
 "We have been warning for a long time that the increasingly punitive 
 approach to criminal justice would push the prison population to 
 unmanageable levels and put at risk constructive regimes. The Government 
 must reverse the over-use of custodial sentences and order courts to 
 exercise restraint in the use of imprisonment for less serious offenders 
 and those on remand." 
  
 John Denham Chairman, Commons home affairs committee: 
  
 "The central challenge is to rebuild public confidence in community 
 sentencing, with sentences that are more visible, and sentencing that 
 more accurately reflects the evidence on what reduces reoffending. There 
 has been far too little emphasis about getting people into a work-type 
 environment in prison, helping them make the transition into work in the 
 outside world." 
  
 Nick Clegg Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman: 
  
 "The criminal justice system has been overburdened by relentless tough 
 rhetoric and unprecedented legislative hyperactivity. The result is 
 heightened public fear of crime and antisocial behaviour, the highest 
 levels of mass incarceration in Western Europe, the demonisation of 
 young people, a simplistic reliance on crude instruments of control, and 
 one of the Western world's highest rates of repeat crime." 
  
 Edward Garnier Shadow Prisons Minister: 
  
 "Prisons have a proper purpose within the criminal justice system but 
 the Government has so managed our prisons that they cannot do what they 
 are required to do. There are fewer prison places available, so while we 
 can lock people up we can't rehabilitate them, get them off drugs, teach 
 them how to read and write, how to accept responsibility for his crimes 
 and the victims of them, or get them to a state of readiness for life 
 back in society." 
  
 Frances Crook Director, Howard League for Penal Reform: 
  
 "It isn't fit for purpose because of the concentration on ineffective 
 responses such as prison. I would like to see the Home Secretary try 
 some community service - he would learn there are some really good 
 schemes helping people to change their behaviour and help the 
 community." 
  
 Juliet Lyon Director of the Prison Reform Trust: 
  
 "It makes no sense to expect overcrowded jails to cut crime when the 
 solutions lie outside, in better parental supervision, constructive 
 alternatives for the young, mental health care, treatment for those 
 addicted to drugs and drink, and a reduction in homelessness, poverty 
 and unemployment." 
  
  
  
  
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