Young Offenders: Education

David Howarth
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Advisory Steering Group for the proposed young offenders academy;

(2) whether he plans to undertake public consultation on the proposal for a young offenders academy before the pilot project is given approval to begin procurement; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what assessment he has made of the compatibility of proposals for a young offenders academy with the Government's policy to make custody for children a last resort.

Mr. Hanson
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Justice, met with representatives of East Potential, the organisation proposing the academy, on 11 November 2008. Officials of the Youth Justice Board (YJB) have also met several times with East Potential representatives to consider the proposal.

The proposal is still at the development stage: it is too early to discuss the Government’s possible response to a more fully developed plan or how such a proposal would be considered.

Any proposals regarding the use of custody for young people who offend would be considered in the light of the Government’s overall approach to youth justice, including our clear statement that custody for young people under 18 should only be used as a last resort.