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Offender Group Reconviction Score System

Volume 486: debated on Thursday 22 January 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what risks are taken into account in assessments made under the Offender Group Reconviction Score system; and what assessment he has made of the average level of accuracy of evidence upon which such assessments are made. (249927)

The Offender Group Reconviction Scale (OGRS) calculates the probability that a convicted offender will be convicted at least once within two years of their release from custody or from the start of their community sentence for any type of offence. The latest version (OGRS 3) is based on:

age at the date of the current caution, non-custodial sentence or discharge from custody;

gender;

the type of offence for which the offender has currently been cautioned or convicted;

the number of times the offender has previously been cautioned and convicted; and

the length in years of their recorded criminal history.

Guidance for practitioners emphasises the strengths and limitations of OGRS and reminds them that while research shows OGRS to be a strong predictor of proven re-offending it is an aid. not a substitute for judgment.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation assess whether likelihood of reoffending is comprehensively and accurately assessed as part of their Offender Management inspections and their reports are made public.