§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will survey those persons admitted to young offenders' institutions over the next three calendar months to establish how many and which had been members of uniformed youth organisations; for what duration; and what percentage of admissions this represents. [88420]
§ Mr. George HowarthNo. The Government believe that the 'what works' and related research provides a reliable basis for developing ways to tackle offending by young people and have no plans to commission a survey of this nature.
However, I have set up some focus groups with young offenders to discuss in more general terms their backgrounds, experience of the criminal justice system, their perceptions of custody and their plans for the future. A draft report has been received and the final report should be made available to me very shortly.