Context
Knife crime has significant impacts on communities, including lives being ruined and a need for accountability. The question addresses the necessity of structured rehabilitation focusing on prevention and diversionary activities.
Question
What steps her Department is taking to support the rehabilitation of people convicted of knife crime offences. Knife crime ruins lives and devastates communities; rightly, those responsible must be held accountable. If we are serious about preventing reoffending, however, we also need structured, credible rehabilitation, the focus of which must be on prevention and diversionary activities. As chair of the all-party parliamentary group on boxing, I have seen how grassroots boxing clubs offer something different—structure, community and hope—that is of particular benefit to young people.
Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Sir Nicholas Dakin)
Halving knife crime is a moral mission for the Government. Every young person caught with a knife is referred to a youth offending team, and Turnaround is very successful in diverting youngsters on the cusp of crime away from offending. Alongside that, the Government will roll out prevention partnerships and Young Futures hubs. My hon. Friend is right to point to the range of diversions that can help the rehabilitation of young offenders, including boxing clubs. I am happy to meet him.
Not addressed: Meeting about boxing as a rehabilitation method was suggested but not committed to specifically in the response.
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