§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current level of repeat offending among drug-misusing offenders; and if he will make a statement. [87439]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe most recently available relevant information relates to reconvictions in samples of prisoners discharged from prison in 1995 and of offenders commencing community penalties in 1995.
Reconviction rates for offenders sentenced for drugs offences1 within two years for prisoners discharged from custody in 1995 or commencing community penalties2 in 1995 Original disposal Custody Community penalties2 Total sampled 3,377 1,556 Percentage reconvicted3 36 50 Percentage reconvicted for any drugs offence1 17 29 1All indictable drug related offences. The offence categorisation is based on the most recent offence recorded on the Offenders Index prior to discharge from prison or commencement of a community penalty. 2Combination orders, community service and probation. Figures relate to offenders sentenced in the first quarter of the year. 3All standard list offences, this includes all indictable offences and some of the more serious summary offences. The source of this information on reconvictions is the Home Office Offenders Index. This does not contain information on cautioning of offenders. It should be borne in mind that this information relates to reconviction rather than reoffending and is restricted to offenders who have been sentenced to custody or a community penalty. It also relates to offenders convicted for drugs related offences, rather than offenders who commit other forms of crime to pay for drugs.
Base line levels of repeat offending among drug misusing offenders are currently being established. The targets set recently by the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator include reducing levels of such offending by 50 per cent. by 2008 and 25 per cent. by 2005.