§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what level of probation supervision those offenders released under the Home Detention Curfew scheme will be subject to; and if he will make a statement. [71927]
§ Mr. George HowarthOffenders sentenced to 12 months and over are subject on release to supervision by a probation officer in accordance with National Standards, which apply whether or not an offender qualifies for the home detention curfew scheme. These Standards lay down, amongst other things, minimum levels of contact. A copy of the Standards is in the Library. They are now being reviewed in consultation with interested bodies, but revisions will not come into effect before April 2000.
Offenders subject to shorter sentences are not liable to statutory probation service supervision, but may approach probation staff for advice or assistance.
109WNo offenders are placed on home detention curfew scheme in the first place without a probation service assessment of suitability.