Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Philip Hollobone and Phillip Lee

Tuesday 7th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Dr Lee]

No, it is not. [Interruption.] The problem is not overcrowding. There are some issues around staffing, which is why we have brought forward our plans on creating a new role for the youth justice officer. Those individuals are going to be attracted to work specifically with children. We are also developing the youth custody service as part of our plans around Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, because we believe that there should be a distinct service to deal with children in the criminal justice system.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

Youth reoffending rates are among the highest of all prisoners, and we have just heard that reoffending costs this country a total of £15 billion a year. Surely the obvious answer is to make sure that all prisoners serve their time in jail in full before they are released out into the public.

[Dr Lee]

Specifically in the youth justice system, I believe that the most important thing is to ensure that when young people are in custody, we take every opportunity to treat them if they have mental health problems and to provide the necessary education for future employment prospects, so that when they leave the institution, they are less likely to reoffend.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Philip Hollobone and Phillip Lee

Tuesday 6th September 2016 Commons Chamber

[Dr Lee]

I do not believe that that is in my purview, but if the hon. Gentleman writes to me I will by all means reply to him on the issue. I agree that victims in such situations need more protection and that the culture needs to change.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

One of the best ways to ensure that justice is served is to ensure that victims have the chance to make a victim impact statement to the court, but that does not always happen. What can the Minister do to ensure that it happens in every case?

[Dr Lee]

As I understand it, victims are now getting more of an opportunity to make a victim impact statement because they can do so online. I agree with my hon. Friend that that should be possible.