require systematic initiatives to reduce imprisonment. Action to reduce pre trial detention and develop alternatives to custody is much needed particularly in low income countries, but as Fair Trials International has shown in Europe too. But a more straightforward measure is often overlooked which would bring more certain falls in prison numbers in any jurisdiction rich or poor- reducing sentence lengths. A parliamentary commission has recently agreed that the prison year in Lebanon should consist of nine rather than twelve months and reductions in prison terms ("rebaja de penas" )  have been established in several Latin American countries.  Calculating resulting sentence lengths in a way that is fair to current as well as future prisoners is no doubt a challenge.  But one way or another getting to grips with sentence inflation is long overdue. Notwithstanding the political and practical difficulties, the jubilee year could be an opportunity if not to offer an amnesty then at least to start considering a more generous regime of early release after years of longer and longer sentences.