To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many incidents of (a) restrictive physical intervention (RPI) and (b) removal from association were recorded in respect of those held in each institution in the juvenile secure estate in each month between January 2007 and the latest month for which figures are available; and what the ratio was of (i) RPIs and (ii) removals from association to the number of children and young people in each such institution in each such month.[Official Report, 9 September 2009, Vol. 496, c. 20MC.] (278239)

Restraint is only ever to be used by staff as a last resort, when all other approaches have either not succeeded or would not be appropriate.

Because of unruly and sometimes dangerous behaviour, there are occasions on which use of physical restraint is unavoidable. The interests and safety of everyone in the establishment must be considered. Other young people, staff and visitors’ safety, as well as that of the young person whose behaviour is causing problems have to be taken into account.

The data contained in the tables have been supplied by the Youth Justice Board. Table A contains data on the number of restrictive physical interventions (RPIs) from April 2007 to March 2009. It is not possible to provide earlier details as comparable statistics across the under-18 secure estate have only been available since April 2007.

Table B contains data for the same period on the number of single separation incidents at secure training centres (STCs) and secure children’s homes (SCHs). It is not possible to provide comparable data for young offender institutions (YOIs) as it is not collected centrally and could not be provided without disproportionate cost.

Table C contains data on the ratio of RPIs to the number of young persons in YOIs, STCs, and SCHs. Table D contains data on the ratio of single separation incidents to the number of young persons in STCs and SCHs.

Tables A to D have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on how many occasions (a) nose, rib and thumb distraction and (b) pain compliant techniques were used on those of each (i) sex, (ii) age group and (iii) ethnic group (A) with and (B) without a disability in each institution in the juvenile secure estate in each month between January 2007 and the most recent month for which figures are available.[Official Report, 9 September 2009, Vol. 496, c. 22MC.] (278240)

The following tables provide data supplied by the Youth Justice Board (YJB) which relate to secure training centres. Data for young offender institutions and secure children's homes are not collected centrally and cannot be provided without disproportionate cost.

YJB's code of practice makes it very clear that restraint is not to be used except as a last resort, when other approaches have not succeeded or would not be appropriate.

The independent Review of Restraint in Juvenile Secure Settings, which was published together with the Government's response on 15 December 2008, made important recommendations about improving practice and making sure restraint is used as sparingly as possible. The Government and the Youth Justice Board are working together to implement those recommendations.

Secure training centres currently use an approved system of restraint known as Physical Control in Care (PCC), which includes the rib and thumb distraction techniques. It formerly also included the nose distraction technique: use of this was discontinued in November 2007 in the light of some concerns about its suitability voiced by a panel of medical experts commissioned to review the PCC techniques.

The data provided show the use of nose, rib and thumb distraction techniques in secure training centres during the period January 2007 to March 2009. Information on the age, sex and ethnic origin of the young person restrained has been collected centrally by the YJB since April 2008. Data relating to disability are not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Table A analyses the data by type of distraction technique; Table B by sex; Table C by age; and Table D by ethnic group.