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Rehabilitation revolution - next steps announced

A rehabilitation revolution aimed at cutting crime, better educating troubled young people and offering real value to taxpayers was set out …

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

A rehabilitation revolution aimed at cutting crime, better educating troubled young people and offering real value to taxpayers was set out by the Secretary of State for Justice today.

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling outlines next steps in the rehabilitation revolution:

As part of radical reforms aimed at tackling unacceptably high reoffending rates, the Justice Secretary said he wants to see offenders released from prison met at the gates by a dedicated mentor who will help them turn their back on crime for good.

The Government also intends to apply Payment by Results methods to the vast majority of rehabilitation work by 2015, meaning the public will only pay for projects that are successful in reducing reoffending.

Further plans set out included:

  • a review of the youth estate, putting education at the centre of our work with young offenders
  • a review of the prison regime, so no prisoner benefits from undeserved privileges and those who break the rules face serious consequences
  • reshaping our legal aid system so it commands public confidence
  • a criminal justice and court system that puts victims first.

Chris Grayling said:

‘My team and I will do everything we can to deliver the changes that are so desperately needed.

‘We can deliver better rehabilitation of offenders, a smarter system of detaining and educating teenage offenders, a cheaper and better prison system, and a legal aid and criminal justice system that commands public confidence - and at the same time bring costs down.’

Community Payback in action

Chris Grayling visited a Community Payback scheme in London yesterday to see an innovative new partnership between the private and public sector, delivering rehabilitation work in the community.

He witnessed offenders renovating a church as part of their community punishment.

Serco took over delivery of Community Payback in London in October this year in a move that will save taxpayers £25 million.

Published 20 November 2012