Pre-trial remand is used where the risk of leaving a defendant in the community is regarded as too high. Most people who are remanded are accused of non-violent offences. In 2021 the total remand population stood at 11,503, 48% higher than in 2018. The majority of adults who are remanded and tried in the magistrates’ court do not get a custodial sentence. In this submission to the Justice Committee, we discuss how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted the use of adult remand and the ongoing barriers to reducing its use. We advocate for better research into some of these barriers, more training for practitioners, and other practical measures to reduce reliance on pre-trial imprisonment.