Statement as report finds rehabilitation of sex offenders lacking

A report published by HM Inspectorate of Probation and HM Inspectorate of Prisons found that significant improvement is needed to ensure sexual offenders are managed effectively in prison and in the community.

• Watch Parliament TV: Statement on Joint HMI Prisons and Probations Report
• Read Commons Hansard: Statement on Joint HMI Prisons and Probations Report

While investigators commended the NPS Victim Liaison Officers for their work with victims of sexual offences, they found that uncertainty in how to understand, support and ultimately rehabilitate sexual offenders was failing to protect the public or address probation violations.

Chief Inspector of Probation Dame Glenys Stacey said:

“Sexual offence convictions are increasingly common, yet despite evidence that we can reduce the risk of these individuals reoffending, little if any meaningful work is being done in prisons. With many probation staff unsure what to do for the best with sexual offenders under probation supervision, the public are not sufficiently protected."

Speaking for the Government, Rory Stewart MP said, “Nobody should underestimate, in any way, the seriousness of this type of offence or our obligation as a government – or as government agencies – to protect the public from sex offences”.

• Read the Joint report: Management and supervision of men convicted of sexual offences [external] 

Image: iStock

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