Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology postnote May 2008 Number 308 ALTERNATIVES TO CUSTODIAL SENTENCING There has been considerable recent debate about overcrowding in UK prisons. The system is struggling to accommodate the growing number of young offenders being given custodial sentences. This POSTnote sets out the scale of the problem and looks at recent trends in sentencing, with a particular focus on young offenders. It examines the factors linked with offending and asks whether better understanding of these can be used to target early actions aimed at deterring young people from offending. Finally, the note examines alternatives to custodial sentencing and assesses how successful these have been in practice. Background Trends in sentencing Courts have a range of options open to them when sentencing offenders (Table 1). These include: • Custodial sentences in prisons, detention centres, young offender institutions, secure training centres, or secure children's homes. While the number of offenders sentenced through the courts in England and Wales declined between 1996-06, the proportion given custodial sentences increased (from 5.9-6.8%). • Community sentences. As detailed later, a wider range of community sentences have been introduced in the last few years. Since 1996, the overall number of community sentences given by the courts has risen, particularly for young offenders aged 10-17 (Table 1). • Fines and other measures (such as conditional or absolute discharges or guardianship orders). The number and proportion of offenders given such sentences has declined since 1996. The prison population The rise in custodial sentencing has resulted in considerable pressure on the prison estate, which is currently running very close to full capacity. According to Table 1 Sentences (England and Wa es, 1996 & 2006)' Sentences Age 10-17 18-20 21+ All ages Total 1996 sentences 2006 74,507 152.298 1,198.472 1.425.27