HC Deb 26 November 1999 vol 339 cc241-2W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals are(a) in progress and (b) planned to improve the enforcement of probation and community sentences; and if he will make a statement. [99805]

Mr. Boateng

We are working with the Association of Chief Officers of Probation to raise the level of performance on enforcement, which is currently

Area Referrals Orders made Orders completed Orders revoked
Croydon (South East London) 96 35 1 9
Glousesterhire 203 80 35
Liverpool (Merseyside) 132 53 12
Total 431 168 56
1None—the first completion of orders is not anticipated until the beginning of the new year at the earliest

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many offenders subject to a drug treatment and testing order have received(a) one formal written warning from a supervising officer and (b) two or more such warnings, but have not been subjected to breach proceedings; [100129]

(2) how many offenders subject to a drug treatment and testing order under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 have been issued with a formal written warning by the supervising officer that they have failed to comply with the order; and how many such formal written warnings have been issued by supervising officers; [100131]

(3) how many drug treatment and testing orders made under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 have subsequently been varied by the courts; [100128]

(4) how many offenders whose drug treatment and testing orders have been revoked by the courts have been re-sentenced for their original offence; how many such offenders were sentenced to (a) custody, (b) a fine, (c) a community service order and (d) another penalty; how many such offenders were granted (i) an absolute and (ii) a conditional discharge; and if he will make a statement; [100133]

(5) how many offenders subject to a drug treatment and testing order under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 have been the subject of breach proceedings following (a) one formal written warning by the supervising officer and (b) two such written warnings; [100130]

unacceptable, through issuing guidance and best practice. A follow up audit of enforcement by all probation services is being undertaken in the new year.

We are also tightening up the National Standards for Supervision of Offenders in the Community as from 1 April 2000 with the effect that offenders who fail to comply with their community sentences will be brought back before the court after a maximum of two unacceptable absences rather than the current three. In addition, we intend to introduce further powers in the Crime and Public Protection Bill further to improve enforcement of community sentences.