Clegg's reoffensive remarks
Updated on 19 September 2006
Does Britain have the highest reoffending rates in the western world? It's time to get real...
The Claim
"We have reoffending rates which are the highest in the western world."
Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg on the Today programme, BBC Radio Four, 18 September 2006.
Background
Law and order in the UK has reached crisis point, foamed Lib Dem shadow Home Secretary Nick Clegg.
Overcrowded prisons, the government and judiciary at each other's throats, conviction rates plummeting, and worse still - the highest reoffending rates in the western world.
So, is the UK really bottom of the league when it comes to getting criminals to change their ways?
Analysis
Well, the short answer to that question is no.
When FactCheck contacted Mr Clegg's team to pinpoint the source of his claim, we were greeted with an honest response: "In the past we have always told Nick to say 'amongst the highest' rates of reoffending in the western world, because that is easier to prove.
"You are probably going to have to give us a low rating for this one - or is it a high rating?"
Certainly when Mr Clegg touched on this subject before, in May 2006, he was obviously devoid of the zeal a party conference induces.
As his team remarked, his press release opted for "amongst the highest" rates of reoffending in the western world, rather than going the whole nine yards.
FactCheck is still waiting to find out the source for this comparative claim - in relation to either of its incarnations.
But is it fair to be comparing different countries, each with a separate legal system, on their reoffending rates at all?
Enver Solomon, deputy director of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies does not think so.
He said: "The bottom line is our centre has never seen research that draws credible comparisons across the western world.
"We would be very reticent to make those comparisons anyway because the recording data would vary.
"We would be very wary of any study along those lines."
FactCheck Rating: 5 (How ratings work)
Verdict
It may only be one word, but it makes a lot of difference.
The Sheffield Hallam MP went from hedging his bets by using the term "amongst", to going for the government's jugular by saying "highest."
It was wrong, but anyone can make a slip of the tongue during a live interview.
What is perhaps more relevant is that the evidence used to base any comparative reoffending claim appears dubious.
Sources
Original claim made in May
Interview on Monday September 18, 2006
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