To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what representations he has received in (a) person and (b) writing from children detained in (i) a young offender institution and (ii) a secure training centre in the last 12 months. (241679)

I have not received any personal representations. Statistics on complaints and representations made by young people in custody are not held centrally and obtaining this information would involve a search through individual records.

At Young Offender Institutions, Prison Service Order 4950 provides that governors shall enable young people in custody to raise concerns and complaints. Particular help is to be given to those who—for example because of learning disabilities —may have problems in doing so. The Youth Justice Board, through its contracts with providers requires secure training centres to have in place arrangements under which concerns and complaints can be raised. Every young offender institution and secure training centre has an advocacy service, which plays an important part in helping young people to voice concerns.