Archived News

Government to introduce payment by results to cut reoffending rates

The government will introduce a payment-by-results system to reduce reoffending as part of reforms to the prison system announced yesterday by justice secretary Ken Clarke.

In a speech to the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies in London, Clarke said the government intended to make "better use of the voluntary sector’s expertise to help us get offenders away from crime".

He said: "The most radical part of our new approach will involve paying independent organisations by results in reducing reoffending.

"Success would be measured perhaps by whether the offender finds and keep a job, housing and so on, or whether they become functioning members of society - above all, by whether they are law-abiding and avoid reoffending within the first few years of leaving prison."

Joyce Moseley, chief executive of young offenders charity Catch22, welcomed the plans. "The justice system, like any other public services, has to provide a return on the investment it receives," she said.

"Financial and social returns go hand in hand, and if we believe our interventions can change young people’s lives, we ought to be ready to accept payment for our services based on their results."

But Andy Keen-Downs, director of the Prison Advice and Care Trust, warned that it might be difficult to tackle reoffending with a straightforward payment-by-results system.

"There are dangers in this approach that we need to recognise," he said. "We want to see more offenders working hard, paying back the community, gaining self-esteem and life skills.

"But some of the most damaged and persistent offenders need much more than this to stop offending."

Ralph Michell, head of policy at chief executives body Acevo, said the plans had huge potential. "We’ve been calling for greater voluntary sector involvement in the criminal justice system for years," he said.

"It is very good news that the government is showing such clear intent. If we get this right, the sector’s involvement in this area could grow by four or five times. But they will need to get the detail right: the length of time between services being delivered, outcomes being achieved and payment being received, for example, will be key."

Source: Third Sector