MP Seeks Suspension orders for local young offenders

12.00.00am GMT Wed 4th Dec 2002

In Home Office questions this week, MP Vincent Cable challenged ministers to explain why more use is not being made of Intensive Suspension and Surveillance Orders (ISSP's) for young offenders.

For teenagers in trouble with the police and the courts the orders provide tough community sentences involving tagging and curfews as an alternative to prison.

In the borough however NO ORDERS HAVE YET BEEN MADE despite the fact that orders cost only a quarter of a young offenders institution and are much more effective in reducing re-offending.

The local youth offending team (based in the council) plans however to make more use of the orders.

Vincent Cable said: "it is immensely frustrating when there are effective, tough and cheap methods of dealing with young offenders that there isn't the funding or the organisation to get things moving quickly."

"It is frustrating for the public because it wants to see effective sentencing for young thugs and equally frustrating for the offenders who can be rescued from trouble and otherwise may finish up in prison".