28/10/2005

Tagging criticised due to high re-offending rate

The government’s youth crime punishment scheme has been criticised, after a study revealed that nine out of ten participants re-offended within two years.

A study, conducted by Oxford University, found that more than 90% of teenagers on the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme reoffended within two years.

However, the researchers found that the rate of re-offending dropped after participation in the programme, which involves electronic tagging and police surveillance.

The researchers found that offenders had committed an average of 11.6 offences, prior to joining the ISSP. However, after attending the programme, the average number of offences dropped to 7.1 offences – a decrease of 40%.

The ISSP scheme was introduced in 2001 for offenders aged under-eighteen in order to provide an alternative to custody. The scheme involves regular surveillance, which can include electronic tagging. The minimum requirement of surveillance is two checks per day, although this can be increased to 24-hour monitoring.

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said that the figures were an “utter disgrace”. He said: “We need workable solutions to tackle youth crime.”

(KMcA/SP)

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