HC Deb 30 January 1987 vol 109 c410W
Mr. Watts

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the initiatives being taken to strengthen the range of non-custodial options available for dealing with offenders.

Mr. Mellor

The maintenance and development of a wide range of non-custodial options is a fundamental part of the Government's criminal justice strategy. Since 1979 we have taken a number of steps to increase the range of alternatives to imprisonment and their value to the courts: for example, by extending community service orders to 16-year-olds and by strengthening the probation order. Our main aim is to increase the courts' confidence in and use of existing measures, including the fine.

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