Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he has taken to reduce re-offending rates for those convicted of serious offences.

Evidence shows that accommodation, family ties, and employment are key factors linked to re-offending. Our programmes of education and training that prepare prisoners for employment on release are available in all prisons, including those holding those convicted of more serious offences. There are also a range of accredited and unaccredited programmes delivered both in prison and in the community that target the particular risks and needs for different types of offending behaviour.

England and Wales have well-established, statutory Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) operated by criminal justice and social care agencies enabling them to work together to reduce the risk to the public of further offending by sexual and violent offenders. Information is shared to coordinate risk management plans that support the effective management of these more serious offenders in the community, reducing reoffending and actively protecting past or potential future victims. Equivalent arrangements also apply in Northern Ireland and Scotland.