§ 18. Maria Eagle (Liverpool, Garston)What measures he proposes to increase the confidence of the public and the courts in the use of community sentences. [99693]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Paul Boateng)The public need to be satisfied that community sentences are effective and properly enforced. We are improving the quality and effectiveness of probation service work through the "what works" initiative, and we are 556 tightening enforcement procedures through work with the Association of Chief Officers of Probation and through more rigorous national standards.
§ Maria EagleGiven that reconviction rates following the imposition of custodial sentences are about the same as reconviction rates following the imposition of community sentences, does my right hon. Friend believe that the courts have got the balance of sentencing about right, or does he think that community sentences should be used more regularly by the courts?
§ Mr. BoatengIt is important to examine those statistics with great care, because they are compiled on a different basis. We are determined to ensure that community and custodial sentences are better informed as to content, and that the protection of the public lies at the heart of both.