Community penalties are now outperforming short prison sentences, according to statistics released today from the latest edition of the Prison Reform Trust’s Bromley Briefings Prison Factfile. If government succeeds in reforming the justice system, building on the success of community measures including diversion into health treatment where appropriate, and holding prison numbers to an unavoidable minimum, it could deliver on its promise of a “rehabilitation revolution”.

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"The Prison Reform Trust welcomes this timely report and its recognition of the important work conducted in prisons by Muslim chaplains. Too often Muslim prisoners are seen as potential extremists in the making instead of a diverse population in need of a safe environment, individual supervision and support and proper preparation for release."

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The Prison Reform Trust welcomes the publication of a thematic review of sentences of Imprisonment for Public Protection by the Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorate, which branded the present position in regard to these disastrous IPP sentences as “unsustainable”.  

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Commenting on HM Chief Inspector of Prisons' final annual report, Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, described it as "a clear warning to be ignored at any government's peril".

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Dame Anne Owers, Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishes reports of two inspections of Pentonville and Wandsworth prisons in May and June 2009.  

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"This report is clear that the limited progress New Hall prison is making in meeting its enormous challenges may be put at risk if the prison merges with Askham Grange open prison, near York. New Hall deals with a range of ages, from juvenile girls to adult women, and a complex set of needs. Many of the women arriving at New Hall have serious drug, mental health and self harm problems." 

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“This report is a story of a poorly performing prison getting worse. Parkhurst has for a long time now been failing in its job to provide purposeful activity for prisoners so they are equipped and prepared for release back into society after serving their sentences." 

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In her latest annual report the Chief Inspector of Prisons Dame Anne Owers says that because of the continuing high number of prisoners the prison system in England and Wales must learn important lessons if prisons are to be safe and effective.

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In her annual report, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Anne Owers, warns that the prison system is at a crossroads - struggling to cope with the current pressure placed upon it. 

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"This disappointing report paints a picture of a prison and a prison system that is struggling to keep its head above water."

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