§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to tackle the problem of persistent re-offending; and if he will make a statement. [75738]
§ Hilary Benn[holding answer 23 October 2002]Last week we announced that a persistent offender scheme will start in February 2003 across the whole criminal justice system. Its aim will be to target the most prolific offenders, to bring more offences committed by them to justice, and to rehabilitate them more effectively. This scheme is an important part of the 'Narrowing the Justice Gap' programme which aims to reduce the difference between the number of crimes reported to the police and the number of offences brought to justice. In addition the Government have already: given the courts new secure remand and tagging powers for 12 to 16-year olds who repeatedly offend on bail; funded the Youth Justice Board's intensive supervision and surveillance programmes for the most prolific young offenders; and renewed its commitment to maintain the time from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders at or below 71 days.
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