Stephen
Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has welcomed new
proposals from Conservative Justice Secretary Chris Grayling to help young
offenders turn their backs on crime.
The
new plans, published recently, explore a radically different approach. Transforming
Youth Custody: Putting Education at the Heart of Detention aims to deliver
value for the taxpayer, reduce reoffending and set young offenders on the path
to a better life.
At
present, the average cost of a youth custodial place is £100,000 a year - with
some as much as £200,000. 73 percent of young offenders who leave custody
reoffend within a year.
Welcoming
the announcement local MP Mr Metcalfe said: “It is absolutely vital that we
tackle re-offending. If we can succeed in turning troubled young people away
from a life of crime, and cut reoffending rates, that will mean less crime,
fewer victims and safer communities. By putting education at the heart of the
approach we can help young offenders to get on in life and make a contribution
to society.”
“I
urge local youth charities, education experts and other interested parties in
South Basildon and East Thurrock to read the consultation document make
submissions so that the views from our area can form part of the policy making process.”
Justice
Secretary Chris Grayling said: “We cannot go on just doing more of the same,
pouring more money into a system doesn't work in the hope of a
different outcome. That doesn’t make any sense to the taxpayer, or to the
young people who we should be trying to get back on the straight and narrow.”
