HL Deb 23 July 1987 vol 488 cc1563-4WA
Lord Elton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the terms of reference of the research study funded by the DHSS at Cambridge University to compare the reoffending rate for juvenile offenders who have completed courses of intermediate treatment with that for juvenile offenders who have completed custodial sentences; when they expect the work to be completed; and where the results will be published.

Lord Skelmersdale

The terms of reference of the research study are as follows:

To examine the effect of intermediate treatment on a young person's history of subsequent offending. To consider whether the resulting findings suggest that intermediate treatment is more or less effective as a method for reducing criminal behaviour than other forms of intervention for young people whose tendency to offend is comparable.

To examine whether anything positive can be said about which forms of intermediate treatment are most effective in reducing criminal behaviour in juveniles.

To identify any aspects of the administrative processes within the area that act as particular constraints on the development of intermediate treatment.

The research study is divided into two phases:

Phase 1: A comprehensive descriptive survey of intermediate treatment provision in all areas of England and Wales.

Phase 2: A detailed study of young people in a range of intermediate treatment projects in a small number of local authority areas who will be compared with similar individuals:

  1. (i) in custody, and
  2. (ii) subject to supervision orders without intermediate treatment.

The work is expected to be completed in July 1990. The following publications giving the results of the research are planned:

An "Executive Summary", summarising the findings of Phase 1 of the research and their implications for juvenile justice policy, is due to be published by the Institute of Criminology at Cambridge University in late 1987.

A book discussing the findings of Phase 1 in more detail is due to be published in late 1988. Specific arrangements for publication have not yet been agreed.

A further publication discussing the findings of Phase 2 of the research is planned for publication late in 1990. Again, no specific arrangements for publication have yet been agreed.