Blair asks SEU to keep tabs on ex-prisoners

7 Sep 00
Prime Minister Tony Blair has asked the Social Exclusion Unit to work with other government departments to cut rates of reoffending by ex-prisoners.

08 September 2000

He wants the SEU to examine ways of tightening control over released prisoners, including probation for those who serve less than a year for crimes such as theft.

Some 90% of those leaving prison have no immediate prospect of getting a job, and 40% are technically homeless. 'By helping ex-prisoners to reintegrate into society, we will prevent more crime and tackle the destabilising effect that reoffending has on communities,' Blair said.

'The SEU has proved itself a powerful tool in developing fresh thinking to tackle some of our most intractable social problems.'

Its next target will be to offer education programmes to help wean offenders away from a life of crime.

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