To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have issued guidance or advice to the Crown Court about whether judges should take account of the prison population in their case management or in issuing directions to juries; and, if so, what guidance or advice they issued. [HL5917]

No. The prison population has no direct impact on case management. Nor does it impact on whether an offender should be found guilty or not guilty, which is the matter for the jury.

However, the Criminal Procedure Rules provide a framework for managing criminal cases. Within that framework the management of individual cases is a matter for the judiciary, taking account of custody time limits set by the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. Listing guidance laid down by the judiciary highlights the importance of minimising time spent on remand by those awaiting trial or sentence.