A study found that progress has been made towards meeting the target of reducing the rate of re-convictions of all offenders by 5 per cent by 2004 compared to the predicted rate.
Source: Julian Prime, Progress made against Home Office Public Service Agreement Target 10, Online Report 16/02, Home Office (web publication only)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
A committee of MPs said that evidence should be collected on which programmes have a sustainable impact on reducing re-offending; and that targets should be set for locating prisoners near to their family home, to reduce re-offending caused by family disintegration.
Source: Reducing Prisoner Re-offending, Fifty-third Report (Session 2001-02), HC 619, House of Commons Public Accounts Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2002-Sep
A pilot project was launched under which prisoners who have reached an appropriate point for release can use 'jobpoints' (networked computers) to make job applications and arrange job interviews to coincide with their release.
Source: Press release 28.8.02, Department for Work and Pensions (020 7712 2171)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Aug
A blueprint for tackling high rates of re-offending by ex-prisoners, to support the government s drive to cut crime and build safe communities, was set out in an official report.
Source: Reducing Re-Offending by Ex-Prisoners, Social Exclusion Unit/Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (020 7276 2055)
Links: Report (pdf) | ODPM press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123, paragraph 6.4
Date: 2002-Jul
An official review looked at ways to ensure that the burden of the requirement to disclose a previous conviction is minimised, while maintaining a requirement to disclose where there may be a particular risk of harm.
Source: Breaking the Circle: Report of the Review of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 6.5
Date: 2002-Jul
The government announced an extra 20 million for prison education.
Source: Press release 15.5.02, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122 (paragraph 6.4)
Date: 2002-Jun
Researchers examined prisoners' expectations concerning employment, training and housing after release.
Source: S. Niven and J. Ologundoye, Jobs and Homes - A Survey of Prisoners Nearing Release, Research Findings 173, Home Office (020 7273 2084)
Links: Findings (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124 (paragraph 6.2)
Date: 2002-May
More than fifty people kill themselves every year shortly after leaving prison, research found.
Source: C. McCarthy, Suicide and Self-harm Prevention, Howard League for Penal Reform (020 7249 7373)
Links: None
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123 (paragraph 6.2)
Date: 2002-May