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Home Office

Answer

Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what home circumstances reports have been requested in respect of potential release on home detention curfew where prisoners have convictions for (a) sexual offences, (b) arson and (c) offences of violence. [72369] Mr. George Howarth: No prisoner can be placed on home detention curfew without a home circumstances report from the Probation Service, whatever the prisoner's convictions. The Prison Service may also ask the Probation Service to comment on other issues of concern as appropriate, for instance due to the nature of the offence. The only cases where it is not necessary to obtain a home circumstances report are where it is apparent at an early stage in the assessment process that the prisoner is clearly unsuitable for home detention curfew. No offender required to register under Part I of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 will be assessed for home detention curfew other than in exceptional circumstances. If the offender is considered for home detention curfew, a rigorous enhanced risk assessment will be undertaken, including consideration of the proposed curfew address. In addition, such an offender would be placed on home detention curfew only following authorisation by the Director General of the Prison Service.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

72369; 326 c390-1W

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Curfews Crimes of violence Convictions Arson Electronic tagging Prisoners Prisoners' release Probation Sexual offences HM Prison Service