16th July 2006
The former head of the Prison Service launched a withering attack yesterday on Tony Blair's record, accusing the government of lacking 'the guts' to admit that thousands of imprisoned children, mentally ill people and petty offenders did not belong behind bars.
14th July 2006
Scottish ministers have failed to meet pledges to cut the number of women in prison according to new figures which reveal a one-third rise in the female jail population in the last five years.
8th July 2006
A battery of former cabinet ministers have accused the government of wanting to abolish the independent post of chief inspector of prisons simply to remove "a thorn in the ample flesh" of successive home secretaries.
30th June 2006
The prison population in England and Wales hit a record high yesterday of 77,865.
2nd June 2006
The liberalisation of drug laws in Zurich has led to a massive fall in the number of new heroin users, according to a study published yesterday. Now Britain, which has the highest number of drug deaths in Europe, is being urged to follow suit.
11th May 2006
A new poll commissioned by the National Union of Public and General Employees indicates that the Conservative government's "get tough" policies are out of sync with the views of a strong majority of Canadians.
5th May 2006
The international evidence is overwhelming against expanding mandatory minimum sentences. Numerous studies confirm it. And yet, against this conclusive evidence, Canada's Conservative government proposes to ramp up their use.
27th April 2006
Private prison in Ontario transferred to public operation after "no appreciable benefit" found after five years.
20th April 2006
A background document from the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network exposes the lack of evidence of effectiveness of mandatory minimum drug sentences.
20th April 2006
Detailed evidence-based examination of the failed record of mandatory minimum sentences for drug offences.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.