The value of time has changed in penal institutions. An immediate response to any solicitation has become a priority in the work of public prosecutors. Time pressure affects the whole penal sector. Efficiency seeks to shorten the time between the infraction and the sanction. Good management standards require the quantification of cases and a reduction in processing time. These elements are considered here in a comparative perspective with interviews and observational research carried out in five jurisdictions of comparable size in France and Belgium. While in both countries and across jurisdictions the rhetoric emphasizes the increased efficiency of services, the comparison reveals significant discrepancies in the modalities of swift treatment.