Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Selous and David Amess
Tuesday 17th March 2015

(10 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Amess Portrait Sir David Amess (Southend West) (Con)
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8. What steps he is taking to reduce youth reoffending.

Andrew Selous Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Andrew Selous)
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The Government are committed to reducing offending and reoffending by young people. We are placing education at the heart of detention and improving resettlement processes, which will provide young offenders with the skills and support they need to build a life free from crime. We are also working to ensure that community youth services are as effective as possible in helping young people to adopt law-abiding lives, including through their role in delivering key cross-Government programmes such as the troubled families initiative.

David Amess Portrait Sir David Amess
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Can my hon. Friend reassure me that changes to the probation service will reduce youth reoffending through a new culture and direction of travel? I, for one, would not wish to see senior managers reinventing themselves in these new community rehabilitation company positions.

Andrew Selous Portrait Andrew Selous
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I know that my hon. Friend takes a serious interest in these matters—indeed, I have met with him to discuss them. The number of first-time entrants into the criminal justice system who are young people fell by 59% in the four years to September 2014. We are also focusing on resettlement consortia in four high custody areas. We have a Turn Around to Work initiative in London and Greater Manchester, which is supported by a number of employers. We are also doubling the number of hours in education.