News, publications and events

Reforming penal policy - a major new drive

1.2.08

A new package of measures aimed at tackling reoffending by getting prisoners off drugs and into work has been announced by Justice Secretary Jack Straw. The measures include:

• Justice Minister David Hanson undertaking work to draw up a contract so in return for opportunities for offenders to learn new skills the community will know what it can expect from those who have committed a crime.
• The launch of a new drive to involve more employers, from the corporate, public and voluntary sectors, in training offenders and offering them employment.
• A drive against drugs which will cover both drug treatment programmes in prisons and the control of drugs in prisons, and will be jointly headed by two senior figures with relevant experience in each area, who will be announced shortly. This will also look at introducing more rigorous searches, including the provision of more sniffer/search dogs.
• As well as stamping out the supply of drugs, the Government is helping offenders kick the habit in prison. By April 29 prisons will have introduced the Integrated Drug Treatment System, and with the Department of Health we will be extending this scheme to a further 20 prisons over the next 12 months.
• Four more drugs courts, building on the success of current pilots in West London and Leeds.
  

Details of the initiatives were announced to Parliament by the Justice Secretary through a written ministerial statement (new window) today. The briefing paper, Prison Policy Update (new window), has been published on the Ministry of Justice website.