09/10/2003
New drive to focus on persistent offenders launched
A major drive to stop persistent offenders returning to a life of crime after leaving prison was launched by Lord Falconer, Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, in Bolton today.
Every year, 17,000 offenders are released from prisons in the north west, many having committed opportunist crimes like shoplifting, burglary, vehicle theft and street crime. Home Office figures show that three quarters of those who have served a short sentence for burglary or theft are reconvicted of similar offences within two years.
The Government Office for the North West (GONW) Regional Resettlement Strategy has identified 10 problem areas for people leaving prison: employment; accommodation; learning and skills; life skills and offending behaviour; family and social support; drug and alcohol misuse; health; finance; victims and community and finally case management.
It also identifies certain actions that should be taken in each problem area - before, during and after custody - to reduce the risk of re-offending. Offenders taking part in the Strategy will be warned that they will be closely monitored and face tough punishment if caught re-offending.
There are currently three Regional Resettlement Strategies (South West and Yorkshire & Humberside) and Lord Falconer is the Secretary of State responsible for the one in Greater Manchester. He told an audience at the launch, which included Chief Constables and local authority Chief Executives, that the effective resettlement of offenders was "vital".
"Offenders often have chronic and inter-related problems - many of which are associated with their offending - and very few skills to help deal with them," he said.
"This is not an apology for offending behaviour, but a clear-sighted assessment of the problems facing prisoners and services in reducing the likelihood of re-offending. If not addressed, these problems create a formidable barrier to prisoners going straight on release. But this need not be an insurmountable barrier."
The GONW Regional Resettlement Strategy is a joint initiative between the Department for Constitutional Affairs and the Home Office.
The Home Office's Regional Director, David Smith, said recorded crime committed by ex prisoners costs at least £11 billion nationally each year.
(gmcg)
Every year, 17,000 offenders are released from prisons in the north west, many having committed opportunist crimes like shoplifting, burglary, vehicle theft and street crime. Home Office figures show that three quarters of those who have served a short sentence for burglary or theft are reconvicted of similar offences within two years.
The Government Office for the North West (GONW) Regional Resettlement Strategy has identified 10 problem areas for people leaving prison: employment; accommodation; learning and skills; life skills and offending behaviour; family and social support; drug and alcohol misuse; health; finance; victims and community and finally case management.
It also identifies certain actions that should be taken in each problem area - before, during and after custody - to reduce the risk of re-offending. Offenders taking part in the Strategy will be warned that they will be closely monitored and face tough punishment if caught re-offending.
There are currently three Regional Resettlement Strategies (South West and Yorkshire & Humberside) and Lord Falconer is the Secretary of State responsible for the one in Greater Manchester. He told an audience at the launch, which included Chief Constables and local authority Chief Executives, that the effective resettlement of offenders was "vital".
"Offenders often have chronic and inter-related problems - many of which are associated with their offending - and very few skills to help deal with them," he said.
"This is not an apology for offending behaviour, but a clear-sighted assessment of the problems facing prisoners and services in reducing the likelihood of re-offending. If not addressed, these problems create a formidable barrier to prisoners going straight on release. But this need not be an insurmountable barrier."
The GONW Regional Resettlement Strategy is a joint initiative between the Department for Constitutional Affairs and the Home Office.
The Home Office's Regional Director, David Smith, said recorded crime committed by ex prisoners costs at least £11 billion nationally each year.
(gmcg)
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