Vol. 452 No. 7
29 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Justice the most recent recidivism figures available to her Department; the proposals if any, she has to provide further in-prison services aimed at rehabilitating habitual offenders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8021/95]
In 1992, the latest year for which statistics are available, approximately 51 per cent of committals to prisons and places of detention had previously served at least one prison sentence.
My Department's policy document The Management of Offenders — A Five Year Plan published last June sets out a comprehensive programme for the development of services (medical, psychiatric, probation and welfare, education, work and training, psychology and chaplaincy) and for the introduction of the concept of positive sentence management which are aimed not only at helping offenders to cope with their sentences but also to lead them, as far as practicable, to a constructive life in the community on release. The plan is in the course of being implemented.
