§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is being taken to reduce and tackle persistent offending through targeting(a) prolific offenders and (b) improving security; where such schemes and projects are being trialled; and how and when such initiatives will be introduced in Middlesbrough South and Cleveland, East. [144756]
§ Paul GogginsThe national Persistent Offender Scheme was launched in April 2003. It is a component of Local Criminal Justice Boards' action plans to increase the number of offences brought to justice, aimed at targeting a small group of prolific offenders who are responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime. Areas have devised their own 'premium service' protocols which include elements of proactive policing, improved investigation and case management, priority court listings, and strategies for rehabilitation.
The National Probation Service is piloting 15 Intensive Supervision and Monitoring Schemes (ISMSs) for persistent offenders in local probation/ police areas. All Schemes involve joint working between probation and police. In addition, some Schemes are testing mechanisms for involving the prison service in pre-release work with persistent offenders. ISMSs target the most prolific offenders in a locality, based on police intelligence. They provide intensive surveillance and supervision of offenders, offering fast access to services and support for rehabilitation, alongside swift action and penalties for non-compliance. They involve other partner agencies such as providers of housing, education and training, alcohol and drug abuse treatment groups and employment services.
In addition, the Government has given the courts new secure remand and tagging powers for 12- to 16-year olds who repeatedly offend on bail, funded the Youth Justice Board's Intensive Supervision and Surveillance
201WProgrammes for the most prolific young offenders and renewed its commitment to maintain the time from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders at or below 71 days.
The following local schemes cover the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency:
Intensive Supervision and Monitoring Scheme for adult offenders (Police/Probation).Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programmes for young offenders (Youth Offending Teams).Both schemes operate throughout Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland.
Criminal Justice Intervention Programme (CJIP)—there is an existing scheme operating in Middlesbrough, and Redcar and Cleveland will benefit from the CJIP funding being made available to all parts of the country.