Transforming Rehabilitation Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Ministry of Justice

Transforming Rehabilitation

John McDonnell Excerpts
Wednesday 9th January 2013

(11 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Chris Grayling Portrait Chris Grayling
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I absolutely give that commitment. One problem has been that if prisoners who are in prison for a short time have no support after they leave, all prisons can do while they are inside is to stabilise the situation. When there is through-the-gate rehabilitation, with somebody waiting to ensure that rehab continues in the community, we have a much better chance of addressing the issues to which my hon. Friend refers.

John McDonnell Portrait John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab)
- Hansard - -

The probation service is staffed by highly qualified, professional, extremely dedicated and hard-working people. Medium-risk cases can be complex and serious in their consequences. The public will be concerned that the same levels of qualification and professionalism should apply to supervision. Will the Secretary of State ensure that the same level of qualifications and experience will apply to probation officers in the voluntary and private sectors?