Youth Offender Panels (Hansard, 12 November 2001)

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase 557W the use of youth offender panels; what steps he has taken to increase participation in the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [13482]

§ Mr. Denham
Referral orders and their associated youth offender panels have been piloted in seven areas in England and Wales since summer 2000. They are due to be implemented throughout England and Wales on 1 April 2002. The Government and the Youth Justice Board are supporting youth offending teams' preparations, with finance, training and guidance. From 1 April youth courts will refer all young offenders aged 10–17 who plead guilty and are convicted for the first time to a youth offender panel unless the offending is so serious as to warrant custody or the court orders an absolute discharge or makes a hospital order.

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for which offences teenagers may be referred to a youth offender panel. [13480]

§ Mr. Denham
Under the referral order legislation, the youth court will refer all young offenders aged 10–17 who plead guilty and are convicted for the first time to a youth offender panel, unless the offending is so serious as to warrant custody or the court orders an absolute discharge or makes a hospital order.

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the extent is of the powers of youth offender panels; and how binding their judgments are. [13481]

§ Mr. Denham
Youth offender panels meet young offenders sentenced to referral orders, their parents or guardians and, where appropriate, victims. They agree contracts with the young offenders, including interventions aimed at preventing re-offending and reparation to individual victims or the wider community. The contracts last between three and 12 months, the term of the referral order as set by the court. Offenders who do not agree to contracts or fail to carry out contracts they have agreed may be referred back to the court and an alternative sentence may be given.