Jane Griffiths has secured a half-hour debate on the subject

The Support and Accountability Circle pilot has been running in Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire for two years and may be rolled out nationally.

Circles of people, often from religious groups, meet and talk to sex offenders to try to stop them reoffending.

Reading MP Jane Griffiths is to tell parliament about the scheme.

Media inspired campaigns merely serve to isolate the sex offender Jane Griffiths, MP

While in custody, sex offenders thought to be at a high risk of reoffending are matched with a core group of five or so volunteers.

They meet weekly, talk to the individual and challenge them if they believe they are in danger of offending again.

The Labour MP said: "Feelings of powerlessness and fear often grip communities when sex offenders are released from prison.

"Media inspired campaigns merely serve to isolate the sex offender, something which usually will have played a part in their offending in the first place.

"This scheme serves instead to befriend the offender, provide them with support, and hold them accountable for their actions to try and prevent them from re-offending."