§ Simon HughesTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the planned timetable is for the completion and publishing of the Social Exclusion Unit's project on re-offending by ex-prisoners; which organisations and individuals have been consulted in relation to the project; and if he will make a statement. [37673]
The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of StateThe Social Exclusion Unit is finalising its recommendations, based on extensive research and analysis and expects to publish its report on reducing re-offending by ex-prisoners by spring 2002. The Unit is currently contributing to the Spending Review.
The Unit has consulted with an extremely wide range of organisations and individuals. There were 265 responses to the Unit's written consultation and the Unit has visited over 50 prisons and young offender institutions and had extensive discussions with staff and prisoners. There have been 11 regional seminars involving a very wide range of local practitioners, including health, housing, employment, education, voluntary sector, social services and police representatives. The Unit has also drawn on surveys of prisoners, both before leaving prison and after release.
HM Prison Service and the National Probation Service, as well as other government departments, are key partners. The Unit is working closely with the leading national organisations in the field and has drawn on their expertise throughout the project.