Schedule 1
Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
10:00 am
David Hanson (Minister of State, Ministry of Justice; Delyn, Labour)
In the event of a custodial sentence for wilful and persistent breaches over time, I hope that provision of education or any other requirement would continue in custody. That is important.
We are straying into separate territories, but my view is that we must raise the level of support for young people in custody with education, training and a range of provision. When visiting establishments for young offenders, I have been impressed by some of the education work going on. The purpose of custody, like that of community orders, is ultimately to prevent reoffending. Education is one of the best ways to do that. As hon. Members know, improving numeracy and literacy is key to preventing reoffending. Offenders under 16 sentenced to custody continue to receive education while in custody. We must ensure that it is the best that we can supply, so that we improve their literacy and numeracy and help them to overcome the challenging behaviour that lead to offending in the first place.
You will have gathered from my comments, Sir Nicholas, that I hope that the hon. Members for Somerton and Frome and for Enfield, Southgate will not press their amendments. I believe that the Bill supplies a framework for enforcing existing national standards through the Youth Justice Board, provides community confidence in community sentences and ensures that we have a backstop by stating that where there are persistent breaches, the Government, through the courts, will take action to enforce sentences properly. The sole intention is ultimately to keep people out of custody, but we will have the option of custody if people wilfully and deliberately breach court orders and associated regulations. I hope that that is helpful to hon. Members, and I urge the hon. Gentlemen not to press the amendments.