Number of sexual and violent reoffences rises

LONDON (Reuters) - The number of sexual or serious violent offences committed by prisoners after their release from jail rose slightly between 2000 and 2005, government figures showed on Friday.

However, statistics from the Ministry of Justice showed that, overall, the number of adults and juveniles reoffending fell significantly.

"I am of course concerned by the increase in adult serious reoffending since 2000, although this should be seen in the context of our policy to improve reporting of sex offences," said Justice Minister David Hanson.

"There is still less than one serious offence per 100 reoffenders, and we are absolutely committed to reducing this further."

The figures found that the number of adult reoffenders fell by 7.4 percent in the five years from 2000, while the number of crimes committed by former adult inmates dropped 11.4 percent.

There was also a 17.4 percent fall in the number of juvenile reoffences.

The question of how to cut reoffending rates has become a growing political issue as Britain's overcrowded prisons reach bursting point.

Some criminal justice charities believe not enough is being done to rehabilitate convicts to ensure they do not return to crime on their release.

They argue custodial sentences are ineffective in helping to cut reoffending and that the public would be better served if offenders were given community punishments instead.