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Rise in under-18 reoffending rate Rise in under-18 reoffending rate
(20 minutes later)
The proportion of under-18-year-olds who reoffend within a year of their release from custody has risen, the Ministry of Justice has said.The proportion of under-18-year-olds who reoffend within a year of their release from custody has risen, the Ministry of Justice has said.
Figures for England and Wales indicate that 77% of 10- to 17-year-olds were convicted of a further offence following their release.Figures for England and Wales indicate that 77% of 10- to 17-year-olds were convicted of a further offence following their release.
Officials tracked a group of juveniles whose initial conviction was in the first quarter of 2006.Officials tracked a group of juveniles whose initial conviction was in the first quarter of 2006.
The reoffending rate of 77% was up on the previous year's rate of 73.1%.The reoffending rate of 77% was up on the previous year's rate of 73.1%.
And that rate was the highest rate for at least six years.
Ex-offender proposal
However, figures for adults indicate reoffending rates have fallen to their lowest rate for at least six years.
The longer an offender spent in custody the less likely they were to reoffend.
The figures come as the government was urged to save taxpayers' money by funding jobs for ex-offenders.
A report by the Policy Exchange think-tank says more than £300m a year could be saved if organisations were paid to hire people released from jail.
Pay-outs could go to private companies, public sector organisations and charities who took on ex-convicts.
Reoffending costs taxpayers in England and Wales £13bn a year, with jobless ex-offenders most likely to reoffend.