The development of alternative sanctions in Europe and the issue of prison overcowding

1. Preamble. - 2. The persistent prevalence of detention within the system of sanctions and delays in the implementation of effective alternative instruments to imprisonment. - 3. The comparative method and different criteria for classifying alternative sanctions or measures. - 4. Supranational sources on the subject of alternatives to detention: vertical comparison. - 4.1. Supranational sources on the subject of alternatives to detention: the law of the Council of Europe. - 4.2. Supranational sources on the subject of alternatives to detention: European Union law. - 5. Comparison and stimuli of a supranational origin: what are the trends in the evolution of alternatives to detention in Europe? - 5.1. Multiplication of the types of alternatives to detention in Europe. - 5.2. Quantitative increase in the alternatives to detention in Europe. - 6. The persistent differences between European penal systems in respect of the alternatives to detention and the obstacles to their broader application. - 7. Conclusions and layout.