Further written evidence to be reported to the House
Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
11:00 am
David Hanson (Minister of State, Ministry of Justice; Delyn, Labour)
I know. The project in question is a pilot project in Preston which is being run by the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders and which is for young people who commit low-level crime. Instead of being given a reprimand, the young people are referred to a peer panel, but they must admit guilt in order to be referred. The peer panel discusses the crime and agrees what should constitute an acceptable behaviour contract. If the individuals do not complete the agreed contract, they are sent to the police for further discussion.
The project is not directly within my responsibility, but I shall bring the Committee up to speed on what I know about it. I understand that the funding for the project has come from the challenge fund provided by the Treasury to the extent of some £487,000. If the Committee feels that it will help, I will happily write a note to assist in informing the debate, which if appropriate could be referred to later on wider issues concerning the Bill. I do not wish to mislead the Committee in relation to information that I do not have at my fingertips.