Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans the Government has to extend to other areas intensive alternatives to Custody programmes such as the scheme piloted in Greater Manchester as an alternative to short custodial sentences.
The courts already have the flexibility to select a range of requirements which are both a robust alternative to custody and provide opportunities to address the specific issues which contribute to a risk of re-offending. Courts may select particular requirements to deal with an individual offender, or authorise a bespoke package such as the Intensive Community Order provided by the local Community Rehabilitation Company in Greater Manchester.