NCJ Number
236648
Date Published
May 2011
Length
98 pages
Annotation
This report from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons examined the quality of care of young offenders in custody in the United Kingdom.
Abstract
Major findings from this report include: 5 of the 12 institutions that housed young offenders had formal written procedures for identifying, assessing, and caring for the young offenders; there was a lack of clarity in most institutions on who should have primary responsibility for the care of young offenders; young people who had been in care of authorities were more likely to report problems with drugs, alcohol, and having mental health issues; only 5 of the institutions reported that they routinely kept an offender's social worker informed of the progress of the child; only half of the offenders interviewed said they received a visit from their social worker while in custody; and young offenders in care reported a more complex range of resettlement needs than those offenders who had not spent time in care. This report from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons examined the quality of care of young offenders in custody in the United Kingdom. Data for this report were obtained from interviews with officials at all 12 young offender institutions (YOIs), young offenders in care, case supervisors, and a survey of children and young people across 7 YOIs. Recommendations from the findings include improved coordination between the Youth Justice Board and the Department of Education regarding the education of young offenders in custody, plans and procedures to improve the care and management of children in custody, and improving communication between YOIs and local authorities regarding the care and management of young offenders in custody. Tables, notes, and appendixes