§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his plans for tackling unemployment levels amongst offenders under supervision by the probation service in the current financial year, 1993–94 and 1994–95.
§ Mr. JackThe three-year plan for the probation service issued by my Department in December sets an objective for 1993–94 of ensuring effective provision for offenders in relation to employment, partnership with the independent and voluntary sector and others in the local community. Guidance issued in 1990 had already emphasised the importance of working with training and enterprise councils, the Employment Service and others, and in monitoring locally the employment status of offenders at the start and end of probation supervision.
It is for each of the 55 area probation services in England and Wales to draw up detailed plans to achieve this objective which best fits local circumstances within the resources available.
The Association of Chief Officers of Probation operates regional employment forums to discuss best practice in work with offenders to secure employment and training. The Home Office regularly discusses in a national forum with probation service representatives, the Employment Department and the voluntary sector ways of mobilising effective practical assistance for offenders. Discussions with the association and other interested bodies are also in progress about ways in which performance indicators for the work of the probation service should reflect success in ensuring assistance towards employment and training while under probation supervision.