HC Deb 14 February 2003 vol 400 cc123-4W
Mrs. Brooke

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has undertaken to assess the impact on re-offending rates of offenders who have completed the National Grid Transco Foundation in Reading young offender institution; and if he will make a statement. [98193]

Hilary Benn

The National Grid Transco Foundation supports the delivery of gas groundwork engineering training and forklift truck driving training for prisoners at Reading young offender institution. None of the nine prisoners who have completed the gas groundwork engineering training, and only six of more than 90 prisoners who have completed the forklift truck driving training, are reported as having re-offended since their release. The Prison Service is now working with the National Grid Transco Foundation to introduce the training at other establishments.