Reconvictions (Hansard, 6 February 1996)

§ Mr. Straw
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the percentage of offenders convicted of offences carrying a discretionary life sentence who are reconvicted of a second offence of similar seriousness; what is the average sentence imposed on those reconvicted of offences carrying a discretionary life sentence; what is the average time served by those reconvicted for (i) all categories of such offences, (ii) manslaughter, (iii) rape, (iv) robbery, (v) buggery, 107W (vi) assault causing grievious bodily harm, (vii) aggravated burglary, (viii) firearms offences carrying life sentence as a maximum penalty and (ix) other offences carrying a maximum life sentence. [12909]

§ Mr. Maclean
The information requested is not collected routinely. A sample of those convicted of indictable offences in five weeks in 1993–94 included 600 offenders convicted of sexual or violent offences carrying a discretionary life sentence, 198–33 per cent.—of whom had previous convictions for such offences. A total of 169 of the offenders with previous convictions for such offences were given a custodial sentence, five of whom were sentenced to life imprisonment. The table shows the average sentence imposed, excluding life sentences, by offence group. Information is not available on sentences actually served by the offenders included in the sample.

Offence Number sentenced to immediate custody on second or greater occasion Average custodial sentence imposed (months)

Manslaughter 5 45

Rape 8 81

Robbery 92 42

Buggery 4 75

Wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm 31 49

Aggravated burglary 3 74

Firearms offences 1 48

Other offences 20 34

Total 164 46

§ Mr. Straw
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the average sentence served by(a) burglars and (b) drug dealers imprisoned for a third such sentence; [12911]
(2) what percentage of (a) burglars and (b) drug dealers receive a prison sentence on their third conviction for a similar offence. [12910]

§ Mr. Maclean
The information requested is not collected routinely. The results from a sample of those convicted of indictable offences in three weeks of 1993 are given in the table which shows the average sentence imposed. Information is not available on sentences actually served by the offenders included in the sample.

Sentencing of burglars and drug dealers¹ convicted for the third or greater time

Offence Number convicted on a third or greater occasion Percentage sentenced to immediate custody Average custodial sentence imposed (months)

Burglary 1,135 43 11

Drug dealing¹ 8 75 30

¹ Based on drug trafficking offences monitored and reported in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Statistics of Drugs Seizures and Offenders dealt with, United Kingdom, 1994". These are offences of unlawful production of drugs other than cannabis, unlawful supply, possession with intent to supply unlawfully and unlawful import or export.

Offence	Number sentenced to immediate custody on second or greater occasion	Average custodial sentence imposed (months)
Manslaughter	5	45
Rape	8	81
Robbery	92	42
Buggery	4	75
Wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm	31	49
Aggravated burglary	3	74
Firearms offences	1	48
Other offences	20	34
Total	164	46

Sentencing of burglars and drug dealers¹ convicted for the third or greater time
Offence	Number convicted on a third or greater occasion	Percentage sentenced to immediate custody	Average custodial sentence imposed (months)
Burglary	1,135	43	11
Drug dealing¹	8	75	30
¹ Based on drug trafficking offences monitored and reported in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Statistics of Drugs Seizures and Offenders dealt with, United Kingdom, 1994". These are offences of unlawful production of drugs other than cannabis, unlawful supply, possession with intent to supply unlawfully and unlawful import or export.