§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how well equipped the National Probation Agency is to provide a drug-rehabilitation service to offenders on leaving prison, with specific reference to those offenders whose sentence length prevents them from attending drug rehabilitation courses while in prison; how much money has been allocated to provide this service; and if he will make a statement. [102446]
§ Hilary BennWhen an offender with drugs problems leaves prison into supervision by the National Probation Service, the service will arrange with partner agencies for drugs rehabilitation treatment to be provided as part of a supervision plan. For offenders714W serving short sentences in prison, Counselling, Assessment, Referral, Advice and Throughcare (CARAT) services represent the main drug intervention and can include initial throughcare links into the community for up to eight weeks. The Government have made available £1 billion this year, rising to £1.483 billion by 2005–06, to meet the commitments to provide drug treatment and to tackle drug related offending outlined in the Updated Drugs Strategy.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on the introduction of OASIS by probation services. [101174]
§ Hilary BennThe National Probation Service is making good progress with the implementation of the Offenders Assessment System (OASys). By the beginning of April 2003 every probation area will either have completed implementation or be in the process of implementation.