One in three inmates reoffends within a year

ONE in every three adults released from prison in the Midlands went on to commit more crime within a year, figures show.

Ministry of Justice figures show that 21,556 people were released from prisons in the region in 2016/17.

Of those, 7,410 – more than one in three – committed a total of 30,570 crimes in the 12 months after their release – an average of four each.

All people released from cus- tody have their behaviour monitored over the following year to check reoffending rates.

Any crime committed during these 12 months counts as a reoffence if it can be proven by a court conviction or through an out-of-court disposal including cautions and penalty notices.

The data shows 43,716 people released from prisons across England and Wales went on to commit a total of 179,292 crimes in 2016/17.

Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns for prison watchdog, the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “Re-offending rates are high for those released from prison, particularly those who are sent there on short sentences.

“A short prison sentence is just long enough to endanger employment, family links and housing but not enough to tackle the underlying causes of why people offend. Increasingly, the Government is recognising that short prison sentences are costly and ineffective.

“Prison should be reserved for serious and violent crime. Other offences can be dealt with through robust interventions based in the community, with a focus on supporting people out of problems such as poor mental health or addictions.

“This would ease pressure on the overcrowded prisons whilst making the public safer.”