Young Reoffenders
10th November 2009
During Justice Questions in the House of Commons, David Burrowes raises concerns at the high level of reoffending by young offenders and asks if money currently spent on keeping them in custody could be better spent by giving it to local authorities..
Mr. David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): Does spending two thirds of the youth justice budget on putting young offenders in custody when two thirds of young offenders come out and commit another offence represent good value for money, or could local authorities with a devolved budget do better?
Maria Eagle: It is for the courts to decide how to sentence those who come before them. The number of young people first entering the criminal justice system is down by 10 per cent. in the past year; reoffending is down by 20 per cent. since 2000; the rate of reoffences classified as serious is down by 20 per cent; the frequency of reoffending is down by a quarter, and the number of offenders who reoffend is down by more than 6.5 per cent. That is a record that the House should applaud.
