HC Deb 05 December 1989 vol 163 c181W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases young recidivists have re-offended in the years 1986–87 to 1988–89.

Mr. John Patten

Statistics are not readily available in the form requested. Information on the sentencing of young offenders reconvicted within two years of discharge from prison service establishments in England and Wales is published annually in Prison Statistics (tables 9.7 and 9.10 of the latest volume, for 1988, Cm. 825), copies of which are available in the Library. Of an estimated 28,800 young persons discharged from prison service establishments in 1985, 18,300 were reconvicted within two years of discharge, of whom 10,600 were recommitted to custody.