Children and young people in custody

Justice Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 2 Jun 2020 Closed: 29 Apr 2021 Parliament page
Read an interactive summary of the key points of our first report on entry into the youth justice system. Read an interactive summary of the key points of our second report on the youth secure estate and resettlement.
38 Recommendations
7 Conclusions
2 Reports
13 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 17 events
8 Sep
2021
Correspondence
28 Apr
2021
Correspondence
19 Apr
2021
Report published
10 Feb
2021
Report published
10 Feb
2021
Report published
12 Nov
2020
Report published
9 Sep
2020
Correspondence
23 Jul
2020
Correspondence
21 Jul
2020
Correspondence
21 Jul
2020
Correspondence
21 Jul
2020
Correspondence
21 Jul
2020
Correspondence
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
Clear
15 Recommendation Deferred
12th Report: Children and Young Pe…
We were concerned to hear reports of children being remanded to custody pending psychiatric reports.
We were concerned to hear reports of children being remanded to custody pending psychiatric reports. Evidence received suggested that this is unnecessary and potentially damaging for a child. We ask the Ministry of Justice to set out how many children … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts in principle that prison should not be used for mental health assessments and recognizes the need for a timely pathway to transfer people to healthcare settings. However, it states that significant further work is needed before legislative change can be introduced and does not provide the requested data on children sent to custody.
Ministry of Justice
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17 Recommendation Deferred
12th Report: Children and Young Pe…
We agree that the introduction of a feedback loop between the Youth Court (magistrates and...
We agree that the introduction of a feedback loop between the Youth Court (magistrates and district judges) and Youth Offending Teams and the young person may help improve transparency and support rehabilitation. The Ministry of Justice should review current sentencing … Read more
Government Response
The government is aware of the value of feedback loops and will explore problem-solving approaches in the youth justice system, including building an evidence base for wider use of panels. It notes that feedback loops already exist for Referral Orders and through innovative local arrangements, and is actively considering how to best support these approaches.
Ministry of Justice
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21 Recommendation Deferred
12th Report: Children and Young Pe…
We agree with the Royal Colleges’ recommendation that the Registered Intermediary Scheme be made available...
We agree with the Royal Colleges’ recommendation that the Registered Intermediary Scheme be made available to vulnerable child defendants. We recommend that the Ministry of Justice set out how it will extend this scheme to ensure that children have access … Read more
Government Response
The government is currently considering the feasibility of extending the Registered Intermediary Scheme to vulnerable child defendants as part of a review of intermediary provision. It states that Youth Offending Teams currently support all children throughout the criminal justice process with robust guidance.
Ministry of Justice
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22 Recommendation Deferred
12th Report: Children and Young Pe…
The youth criminal justice system can be complex to navigate for children and young people,...
The youth criminal justice system can be complex to navigate for children and young people, particularly as children reach court proceedings. We recommend that direct recruitment to the youth magistracy be introduced, which would allow magistrates to specialise in the … Read more
Government Response
The government states that direct recruitment to the youth magistracy has been considered but not pursued due to insufficient caseload, though they will continue to explore its benefits. They are aware of peer advocates working with YOTs but do not commit to enabling an increased role in the youth court system.
Ministry of Justice
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1 Recommendation Deferred
16th Report - Children and young p…
Throughout this inquiry, we have heard of significant concerns about the use of separation across...
Throughout this inquiry, we have heard of significant concerns about the use of separation across the youth estate - the effect it has on the individual and on the institution itself. Concerns around the use of separation in the youth … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need to collect and publish data on separation in YOIs, stating it has been capturing data since December 2019 and expects to begin publishing this data quarterly from the 2022/23 financial year onwards, pending a policy review.
Ministry of Justice
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13 Recommendation Deferred
16th Report - Children and young p…
We welcome the Government’s long-term ambition to replace YOIs and STCs with secure schools, but...
We welcome the Government’s long-term ambition to replace YOIs and STCs with secure schools, but we are concerned about the level of commitment demonstrated in achieving this aim, given the length of time it has taken to develop a single … Read more
Government Response
The government maintains its long-term ambition to replace YOIs and STCs with secure schools but states this will take time, and they will update the Committee on a timetable and further investment when more information is available.
Ministry of Justice
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Government Response AI assessment · 45 of 38 classified
Accepted 21
Accepted in Part 4
Acknowledged 9
Deferred 6
Rejected 5
Total 38 recs + 7 conclusions
Correspondence 13 letters
8 Sep 2021 To committee Letter from Alex Chalk MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, dated 31 August 2021, regarding update on Report on Children and Young people in custody
Parliament page
28 Apr 2021 To committee Letter from Alex Chalk MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, dated 26 April 2021, regarding Children and Young People in Custody (part 2)
Parliament page
9 Sep 2020 Written evidence from Magistrates Association
Parliament page
23 Jul 2020 Written evidence from The Association of Youth Offending Team Managers
Parliament page
21 Jul 2020 Written evidence from JUSTICE
Parliament page
21 Jul 2020 Written evidence from Youth Justice Board
Parliament page
21 Jul 2020 Written evidence from UK National Preventive Mechanism
Parliament page
21 Jul 2020 Written evidence from Royal College of Psychiatrists
Parliament page
21 Jul 2020 Written evidence from EQUAL
Parliament page
15 Jul 2020 Written evidence from the Children's Commissioner
Parliament page
8 Jul 2020 Written evidence from Royal College of Psychiatrists
Parliament page
24 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from Lucy Frazer QC MP, Minister of State for Justice, dated 17 June 2020 on Secure Schools Programme
Parliament page
23 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from Lucy Frazer QC MP, Minister of State for Justice, dated 17 June 2020, on Youth Custody Reports
Parliament page