HM Prison Service - Young People (Juvenile Offenders)

The Prison Service provides secure accommodation for young people (formerly known as Juvenile offenders) aged 17 who are on remand, 15 – 17 year old males and 17 year old females who have been given a custodial sentence.

There are approximately 2,600 young men and around 70 young women in prison service custody. They are held in Young Offender Institutions (YOIs)

Induction

When a young person is received into custody an induction takes place as follows:

All young people are screened on arrival to ensure all immediate healthcare and other needs are identified and catered for.
They are provided with a first night pack, including a phone card or equivalent and reading/writing materials.
They are given the opportunity to contact families/carers within two hours of arrival.
They are given information about visiting, personal property, pastoral care and the sentence planning, review and resettlement arrangements.
They have a personal officer assigned to them whose role is to act as an adviser with whom they have frequent, purposeful contact and with whom they can establish good relationships.

Regimes

The Youth Justice Board (YJB) for England and Wales and the Prison Service have a service level agreement which sets out the standards to be delivered in Young Offender Institutions.

The Prison Service's young people regimes are designed to meet the Youth Justice System's aim of preventing offending by young people. Key features of the regimes include:

A child centred approach reflecting the spirit of the Children Acts of 1989 and 2004
A special emphasis on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
The provision of a safe environment for all young people at all times
Special attention to every young person's physical, mental and social health, including the promotion of healthy lifestyles
Daily involvement in a variety of activities in keeping with individual needs, abilities and potential – with education and training forming an important and vital part of the young people's custodial experience
Staff who have received appropriate training and can act as ‘significant adults' and role models.

Activities

The Prison Service aims to involve each young person every day in a variety of activities, which are suited to their needs, their abilities and their potential.

Apart from education and training some establishments provide enrichment activities, which can include programmes of drama, dance, music and clubs (e.g. computer club). Rewards and Sanctions schemes operate to ensure that good behaviour is promoted, recognised and rewarded. Each establishment will operate its own scheme, which is designed specifically for juveniles and aims to provide realistic and motivating incentives.

Towards the end of their sentence, and provided they meet the eligibility criteria, young people may apply to the Governor for the opportunity to be released on a temporary licence to undertake activities in the community linked to continuing their education, future training and employment opportunities, maintaining positive personal networks and general resettlement. The aim of this scheme is to assist the young people's rehabilitation and help prevent them from re-offending. Thorough risk assessments have to be completed before an application can be approved.

Key Developments in the Young People's Estate:

Dedicated Units for Young Women

There are 4 dedicated units for 17 year old young women (who would previously have been placed in juvenile accommodation within women's prisons). The units at Downview, Eastwood Park, Foston Hall and New Hall take a child centred approach and the needs of the young women are identified and addressed by Young Offender Teams (YOTs), discipline staff, education and health working together.

Softer Uniforms

Introduction of the requirement that officers working in a young people's establishment, or unit wear a more relaxed uniform of polo shirts with either the standard uniform trousers/skirt or tracksuit trousers.

Juvenile Awareness Staff Programme (JASP)

JASP was introduced to the young people's estate in 2004 to provide child focused training for staff working with young people. JASP is the single biggest training event delivered to staff in the young people's secure estate. It includes modules on Child Protection, Understanding and Working with Children and Young People in Custody, Mental Health, Substance Misuse, Vulnerability Assessment, Training Planning and Resettlement, Managing Difficult Behaviour and Safeguarding.

Establishments in the Prison Service Young People's Estate

These currently comprise the following male establishments: