Transforming Rehabilitation Programme

Lord Watts Excerpts

Monday 31st October 2016 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Courtown]

My Lords, the noble Lord is correct about how much reoffending costs the country, which is in the region of £13 billion. He is right that we must get a grip on this. As he is aware, in 2010 we had the report, Breaking the Cycle. In 2012, we had Punishment and Reform, looking at probation services. We had another report on services and then Transforming Rehabilitation. This is what we are trying to do. Offenders need to be supported through the prison gate, but we must not look only at offenders. We must also look at public protection and at supporting victims.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

Would it not be more effective to invest more money in schools training in prisons and to create job opportunities when they leave prison?

[The Earl of Courtown]

My Lords, the noble Lord is right. This is how one of these systems, on supporting offenders through the prison gate, is working. These services were already working with prisoners before they leave prison. Once they leave, they are helped with accommodation and finding jobs so that they can support their families and make an honest living.