This article comments on the Green Paper, and discusses the likely effects of intermittent custody in England and Wales in the light of its use elsewhere, and of experience here with the introduction of other penal innovations, such as suspended sentences and detention centres here. The principles involved in the Home Office's proposals are also related to themes of the 'return to justice' penal reform agenda, and finally in broader issues of the relationship of the prison to the community, and the shifting balance between the provision of welfare and the imposition of social control. It is argued that the introduction of intermittent custody in England and Wales would be particularly unwelcome coming at the same time as the current prison building programme. (Author abstract)