§ 30. Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to encourage the use of community-oriented sentences. [80981]
§ Mr. BoatengCommunity sentences have a role to play in preventing crime and tackling offending behaviour. They are a crucial part of the Government's sentencing strategy.
We are developing a portfolio of supervision programmes evidentially proven to be effective, which can be implemented nationwide, and, jointly with the Prison Service, systems for accrediting programmes and assessing offenders' risks and needs.
It is important that community penalties are rigorously enforced. We have therefore issued further guidance to probation services and will look to tighten enforcement requirements in Probation Service National Standards, which are currently being reviewed.