Drugs: Crime

Question

The MoJ is committed to ensuring the most vulnerable offenders, including those with prolific drug addictions, are able to access appropriate support at the right time. We are currently reviewing the recommendations of the Centre for Social Justice report.

There is ongoing work to help address the underlying needs of offenders which can contribute to offending behaviour. This includes diverting offenders away from custody where appropriate. We continue to support NHS England’s roll out of Liaison and Diversion services, which were operating across 82% of the country at the end of March 2018, with full rollout expected by 2020/21.

We are also working with the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Public Health England to develop a protocol to improve the uptake of community sentences with treatment requirements (CSTRs). This will ensure pathways into appropriate treatment are in place, and support greater use of CSTRs, including Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (DRRs). The protocol works as a diversion from custody and aims to improve health outcomes and reduce reoffending.

We recognise female offenders often commit non-violent, low-level but persistent offences, such as shop theft and understand that drug addictions often contribute to offending behaviour. In 2017, almost half (47%) of women sentenced to a short custodial sentence had committed shop theft. A 2005/06 MOJ survey showed that female prisoners were more likely to report using Class A drugs in the four weeks before custody (58% compared with 43% of male prisoners). We are committed to addressing the underlying causes of female offending and reoffending, and are developing a Female Offender Strategy. We will publish as soon as we are able to do so.