§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets he(a) has set and (b) plans to set and what data he has identified to enable his Department to meet its PSA target to ensure just processes and just and effective outcomes in the criminal justice system. [159027]
§ Mr. Boateng[holding answer 26 April 2001]: Targets have been set to reduce the rate of reconvictions of all offenders by 5 per cent. by 2004 compared to the predicted rate, and of all young offenders by 5 per cent. by 2004 compared to the predicted rate.
These calculations are based on evidence of "What Works" in reducing reconvictions. A range of interim targets have been set for effective completions of accredited Offender Behaviour Programmes including education and training for offenders in custody and those completing community sentences.
Predicted two-year reconviction rates used in the measurement of Public Service Agreement targets are not statistical forecasts, but are adjustments made once actual reconviction rates are known which make allowances for variations in the age, sex, offence and previous criminal history profile of persons commencing community sentences. These factors are known to be associated with the risk of re-offending. The purpose of the "predicted" rate is to ensure that comparisons between the reconviction rate when an improvement target was set and the reconviction rate when improvement is measured are meaningful.