HC Deb 08 July 2002 vol 388 c732W
14. Lawrie Quinn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the role of the National Probation Service in reducing crime. [64760]

Hilary Benn

The National Probation Service, together with the Prison Service and the Youth Justice Board are jointly responsible for the target of reducing the level of reconviction of offenders by 5 per cent. by 2004. The Probation Services is working towards this byCareful risk assessment of offenders Providing help with accommodation and employment Improving basic skills Running offending behaviour programmes.

The Probation Service is also responsible for ensuring that community penalties are effectively enforced.