Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Reoffending Reduction

Tuesday 22 September 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Reoffending rates are high and pose a risk to community safety.
  • Sufficiently trained probation officers are crucial for reducing reoffending.
  • The Department is exploring tagging prolific burglars to monitor their movements post-release.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Fletcher
Justice & Courts
Context

The issue of high reoffending rates that pose dangers to communities and undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system.

Question

What steps is the Department taking to reduce reoffending?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

Reoffending rates are too high, resulting in some individuals repeatedly posing a danger to their communities and the undermining of public confidence in the criminal justice system. Last week, we published the sentencing White Paper, which sets out measures to better supervise and support offenders following their release from custody. It includes proposals for changes to the rehabilitation periods set out in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, to improve access to employment and education for those with criminal records.

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Q2 Rob Butler
Justice & Courts Employment
Context

The dedication and commitment of staff at MTCnovo's hub for offenders in Aylesbury, emphasizing the importance of dedicated probation officers.

Question

Does my hon. and learned Friend agree that a vital element of reducing reoffending is having enough well-trained and skilled probation officers who can thoroughly oversee and supervise sentences?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. I thank all the staff at MTCnovo and Thames Valley community rehabilitation company. My hon. Friend is absolutely right to say that dedicated prison officers are a key part of reducing reoffending, which is why last month we launched the probation workforce strategy, setting out our commitment to recruit an additional 1,000 probation officers by the end of January next year. It is about not just recruiting staff but how we work with them and invest in their skills.

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Q3 Mark Fletcher
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Communities in the Bolsover constituency are desperate for measures that punish serial reoffenders and encourage innovation.

Question

Communities across the Bolsover constituency are desperate to see serial reoffenders punished, and that requires a level of innovation. What innovative approaches to reoffending is the Department taking?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

I welcome my hon. Friend's question on innovation. Our sentencing White Paper sets out a number of innovative ways of reducing reoffending, and I will mention just two. First, we would like to deal with prolific burglars by tagging them so that when we release them from prison, we know where they go and prevent them from committing further acquisitive crime. Secondly, we want to help people turn their lives around through community treatment programmes, ensuring that offenders get the support—including the drug addiction treatment and mental health support—they need.

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