§ Lord Adebowaleasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their policy on drug courts. [HL2523]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)The Government recognise the important role that courts can play in the rehabilitation of drug misusing offenders, particularly where sentencers play an active part in the review and monitoring of an offender's progress and there is continuity through the stages of the court process.
We are currently looking to build on best court practice in the management of the court review process for the drug treatment and testing order (DTTO), the nearest comparable arrangement we have in England and Wales to drug courts in other jurisdictions. Preparation work is under way in three court areas in England to pilot and evaluate good practice approaches, including the use of selected magistrates trained in drug misuse issues. We will give further consideration to the role the courts have to play in the 106WA rehabilitation of drug misusing offenders in the light of the outcome of these pilots and other initiatives.
§ Lord Adebowaleasked Her Majesty's Government:
What further plans they have to increase the "pilots" of drug courts in England and Wales. [HL2524]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThere are no dedicated drug courts, as such, being piloted in England and Wales but we are currently looking to build on best court practice in the management of the court review process for the drug treatment and testing order, the nearest comparable arrangement we have in England and Wales to drug courts in other jurisdictions. Preparation work is under way in three court areas in England to pilot and evaluate good practice approaches, including the use of selected magistrates trained in drug misuse issues. But we shall evaluate the lessons learned from them with a view to promoting best practice throughout England and Wales.
§ Lord Adebowaleasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment has been made of the effectiveness of drug courts. [HL2525]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThere are no established drug courts operating in England and Wales. The nearest comparable arrangement is the court review process for the drug treatment and testing order (DTTO).
The assessment of Probation Service supervising officers is that the statutory court review of an offender's progress on a DTTO is helpful in maintaining the individual's motivation to complete the order and is welcomed by both offenders and sentencers.
Pilots are to be introduced in three court areas in England to examine good practice approaches in the management of the court review process for the DTTO. The pilots will be monitored and evaluated.
§ Lord Adebowaleasked Her Majesty's Government:
What recent discussions they have had with the Council of Europe on the effectiveness of drug courts. [HL2526]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonUK representatives attended a Council of Europe Pompidou Group conference: "European Perspectives on Drug Courts" from 27 to 28 March 2003. My officials will consider the conference report and conclusions.