§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convicted rapists have been paroled during the past 10 years; and how many have committed subsequent offences.
§ Mr. John Patten[holding answer 15 March 1988]: The table shows the numbers of persons with a principal offence of rape who were paroled from determinate sentences (excluding life) between 1977 and 1986, together with the numbers considered. To provide information on the number of these parolees who were reconvicted subsequently, whether for rape or any other offences, would involve disproportionate cost. Since 1983, prisoners given sentences of more than five years for rape have been granted parole, other than in wholly exceptional circumstances, for only a few months towards the end of the sentence where this seems likely to reduce the long-term risk of reoffending.
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Prisoners serving determinate sentences for rape who were considered for parole: by outcome, 1977–86 Number of persons Considered for parole Released on parole1 1977 374 137 1978 385 170 1979 390 149 1980 445 211 1981 496 253 1982 359 146 1983 422 186 1984 489 213 1985 545 201 1986 587 177 1Including those deported on release.