Under-21s were found to have the highest two-year reconviction rate

The Scottish Executive statistics showed a slight overall drop in reoffending levels.

In general, about 42% of offenders in 1999 were reconvicted within two years, compared with 45% in 1995.

However, 55% of male under-21s were reconvicted for another offence within two years.

This group did not compare well with the over-30s, where 32% were returned to custody.

Reconviction rates have fluctuated up and down since 1995 and I want to see a steady, year-on-year decline Cathy Jamieson Justice Minister

The figures, released on Wednesday, also revealed how the likelihood of reconviction increased in line with the number of previous convictions.

About 24% of offenders with no previous convictions were reconvicted within two years but this rose to 77% for those who had more than 10 previous convictions.

Also, those discharged from prison or given probation were more likely to end up back behind bars than those given community service or a fine.

Those convicted of a crime of dishonesty, including housebreaking, had the highest two-year reconviction rate at 54% while for sex offenders it was 17%.

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson gave the slight fall in reoffending rates a cautious welcome and said the Management of Offenders Bill, now going through the Scottish Parliament, would help the downward trend continue.

Ms Jamieson said: "I want to make clear that much more work needs to be done.

Housebreakers had the highest two-year reconviction rate at 54%

"Reconviction rates have fluctuated up and down since 1995 and I want to see a steady, year-on-year decline.

"The measures we are bringing forward in the Management of Offenders Bill will aim to achieve exactly that by placing a statutory duty on local authorities, the Scottish Prison Service and others to work together in local partnerships to develop and implement local plans to manage offenders and reduce re-offending."

The legislation is set to create new Community Justice Authorities which will monitor the effectiveness of the planned cooperation between the separate agencies as they bid to bring down re-offending rates.

Ms Jamieson also pointed out that she is due to chair a new national advisory body for offender management which will help design the strategy and set targets for reducing reoffending.

The Scottish Conservatives used the announcement to launch a renewed attack on the automatic early release of prisoners, which forms part of the new legislation.

'Simple truth'

Under the scheme, which was passed along with the bill earlier this month, low-risk prisoners will be released up to 135 days early if they agree to a home detention curfew.

Tory justice spokeswoman Annabel Goldie said: "The simple truth is that we urgently need more police on our streets to deter and detect crime; we need honesty in sentencing to end the scandal of automatic early release and we need comprehensive rehabilitation programmes to cut reoffending.

"International studies have shown that prison works as a punishment and as a deterrent and should be a chance to address reoffending behaviour.

"The executive's refusal to act now is wrong and counterproductive.

"Instead it merely offers continual consultation and a new management of offenders bill that would make matters worse by letting more convicted criminals out of jail even earlier."

Scottish National Party justice spokesman Kenny MacAskill said the causes of crime must be tackled.

He said: "We welcome any small reduction in reoffending rates from year to year, but the fact that two out of five offenders are reconvicted within only two years is a terrible reflection of our justice system.

"The executive must concentrate not simply on locking up young offenders, but on tackling the scourge of drinks, drugs and deprivation that scar our Scottish communities and blight a huge part of a generation."