Ruth presses Government on reoffending rates

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Ruth Cadbury MP spoke in Parliament on Prisons Reform and Safety during a Justice Committee Backbench Business debate on 7th December, after visiting HM Inspectorate of Prisons.

Ruth Cadbury MP for Brentford and Isleworth said: "Young adults aged 18 to 25 are a distinct group: only 10% of the general population, but accounting for 17% of those sentenced to prison every year. Research shows that when policy makers, sentencers and practitioners take into account developmental maturity and the particular needs of young adults, they are more likely to grow out of crime."

Ruth then pushed the Government for "assurance they will provide a distinct regime for young adult offenders".

The Backbench Business Committee debate in the Chamber on prison reform and safety, was secured by the Justice committee, of which Ruth is a member. The debate followed up on their predecessor Committee's Reports earlier this year. The debate raised a number of issues with the Minister, including those relating to safety in adult prisons, young adults and maturity, performance data, prison population, Black and Minority Ethnic prisoners, prison staffing and estate modernisation.

Ms. Cadbury finished by saying: "We all have to ask what prisons are for. I hope that, instead of prisons just warehousing prisoners, as too often seems to be the case, the Secretary of State and the Minister will take responsibility for ensuring that our prisons are humane and safe, and that they turn lives around and reduce reoffending."

On Wednesday 6th December, Ruth Cadbury and the rest of the Justice Committee visited HMIP to meet the Chief inspector, Peter Clarke, and his senior leadership team. This was an opportunity for them to get an insight into the work of the Inspectorate and their priorities.

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