Question
The Government have not yet set out the number of domestic abusers who have been released under the early release scheme. Will the Minister set out to the House what that number is, and the total number of domestic abusers who will be released under the scheme?
Answer
The right hon. Gentleman knows as well as I do that that figure is not available, but we could not take this issue more seriously. That is why we have tagging under the domestic abuse perpetrators on licence approach, and probation services have a wider set of powers, many of which I have mentioned, including restrictions on licence conditions to prohibit offenders from driving or attending public events. It is right that we bring in our world-leading restriction zones to ensure that it is the perpetrators, not the victims of domestic violence, who have to alter their lives. We will continue to prioritise and work on this issue, and he is right to raise it.38% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (45/100)
The reply clearly states that the number of domestic abusers released under the early release scheme is not available, which answers that part of the question directly, though it gives no reason and no alternative figures. It does not address the projected total the question asked for; it only describes tagging, licence conditions and restriction zones, which are policy details rather than a count. Someone reading it would still lack the forward-looking figure and would likely need to ask again.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is the number of domestic abusers who have been released under the early release scheme? | Addressed | Direct | The reply states plainly that the figure for domestic abusers released under the early release scheme is not available, which is a direct answer to a request for that number, though it gives no reason and no substitute data. |
| What is the total number of domestic abusers who will be released under the early release scheme? | Partially Addressed | Generic | The refusal that 'that figure is not available' could plausibly cover this forward-looking total, but the reply never addresses the projected number itself, and the surrounding statements about tagging, licence conditions and restriction zones describe policy rather than any count. |