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Re-offending

Answer

The information requested is as follows.(a) No recent research has been commissioned on the direct effect of penal custody on re-offending rates (as measured by reconviction); however research (Surveying Prisoner Crime Reduction) is being undertaken on the link between interventions received in (as well as outside of) prison, and outcomes (including reconviction). Research has also been commissioned (building on the three Resettlement Surveys undertaken in 2001, 2003 and 2004) to provide information on the links between resettlement factors and reconviction. A large scale sentencing survey is also being undertaken which will provide information about the relative effectiveness (and cost-effectiveness) of different sentences.(b) Research was commissioned in 2001 to provide robust evidence on the impact of restorative justice (RJ) alongside the criminal justice system (pre and post sentence) on reconviction rates. Other recently conducted research on RJ has included a study examining the impact of a restorative cautioning scheme (Wilcox et al., 2004) and an exploratory study on the effectiveness of RJ schemes (Miers et al., 2001). The evidence from both of these studies on the effect of RJ on reconviction was inconclusive.To follow up earlier research on the introduction of referral orders (which follow the principles of restorative justice), a reconviction study on those offenders subject to referral orders has been commissioned by the Youth Justice Board (YJB). Further Youth Justice Board research is being undertaken to evaluate the enhanced effectiveness of using Family Group Conferencing in conjunction with Youth Inclusion and Support Panels to divert highest risk children from offending.(c) No recent research has been conducted by the Home Office or the Youth Justice Board assessing the effect on the re-offending rate of local authority run secure accommodation.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

24290; 439 c1775-7W;439 c1777-9W

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Custodial treatment Prisons Young offenders Research Reparation by offenders Reoffenders Secure accommodation

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk