Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice to detail any assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of custodial sentences under 12 months.
Minister of Justice: The Department has not undertaken a standalone assessment of custodial sentences of less than 12 months. However, it routinely considers reoffending data, research evidence and operational experience when assessing the effectiveness of sentencing outcomes.
The latest proven reoffending statistics for those released from custody in 2022/23 show reoffending rates of 58.4% for sentences of up to three months and 49.4% for sentences of between three and 12 months, compared with 21.1% for sentences of between one and three years and 3.7% for sentences of over three years.
The Northern Ireland Prison Service continues to support rehabilitation and reduce reoffending through targeted interventions, including Extern’s Prisoner Support Project, which provides support before and after release to assist short-sentenced prisoners to reintegrate successfully into the community.
ENDS
