In Switzerland, as in all Western countries, the overcrowding problem results mainly from the lengths of prison terms, rather than from the number of inmates. Although 83 percent of Swiss prison terms are short, these account for only 27 percent of the prison population. Therefore, experts who suggest the abolishment of short prison terms will not significantly reduce prison overcrowding. In fact, this measure may have the opposite effect. Thus, offenders who might have received a short prison term will now receive a term of more than six months. Also, all offenders who fail to fulfill their parole obligations will eventually have to be returned to the prison system. The analysis suggests a different approach to prison overcrowding: Judges must fit their sentencing to the offender rather than to specific offenses. To respond appropriately to each offender's special situation, judges need more sentencing options rather than the proposed abolishment of short prison terms. Statistical charts and graphs are included. 14 pages of references