The 2007-08 Criminal Justice Bill proposed significant changes in many areas of the criminal justice system in England and Wales and, to a lesser extent, in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Custodial sentences
In particular, it proposed reforming the law relating to custodial sentences and the early release of prisoners in order to reduce prison overcrowding, which reached crisis levels during 2008.
Industrial action
The resulting Act also reduced the right of prison officers to take industrial action, and changed the law on the deportation of foreign criminals. After passing through both Houses of Parliament it received Royal Assent on 8 May 2008.