§ 20. Fiona MactaggartTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made62W of the contribution which family responsibilities make to reducing reoffending; and if he will give priority to placing prisoners within easy reach of their families. [44263]
§ Ms QuinHome Office research suggests that family responsibilities and the formation of a stable relationship are a factor in young women aged 14 to 25 desisting from offending. Young men may be similarly influenced, but at a later age. Further research is being undertaken.
The Government's view is that it is certainly desirable to keep prisoners closely in touch with their families and for them to be located close to their homes and families wherever possible.
§ 25. Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that there is early intervention with young offenders to prevent reoffending. [44268]
§ Mr. StrawMy hon. Friend is right to stress the importance of early intervention with young offenders to prevent reoffending. The child safety order and local child curfews, both for under 10s, and the Final Warning Scheme, for those aged 10 and over, will help to nip offending in the bud. New local crime reduction strategies and the new youth offending teams will help local action to reduce youth crime. We are also providing new powers to enable the police to deal with truants in partnership with the education authorities.