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Young Offenders

Volume 460: debated on Tuesday 22 May 2007

To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what the Government policy is on keeping young people held in (a) young offender institutions and (b) secure accommodation close to their family home. (138195)

Responsibility for placing young people under 18 within the secure estate lies principally with the Youth Justice Board. Children under 15 may be placed in a secure children's home or a secure training centre. Young people under 18 may also be accommodated in those establishments, but most are placed in a young offender institution. In deciding which sort of placement is appropriate, the board has regard to the young person's age and sex and to his or her individual needs. Having taken account of those factors, the board's policy is to place the young person as close to home as possible. But the chief consideration is that the establishment should be of a type that is able to meet the young person's particular needs.