§ Baroness Sternasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many remanded juveniles, if any, were held in police cells in the months of May and June. [HL5609]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonWe do not hold separate figures on the number of remanded juveniles held in police cells centrally.
However the numbers of remanded and sentenced juveniles held in police cells were 157 in May 2002 and 91 in June 2002. These figures have been provided by the Youth Justice Board who purchase juvenile secure accommodation, and are approximate. Juveniles are usually only held in police cells for one night because they are unable to reach their intended accommodation in time for admission on the same day. This problem is more serious in the south, and has eased following the availability of 112 extra places at Feltham for juveniles.
§ Baroness Sternasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many children classified as vulnerable by the local youth offending team have been held in prison rather than in secure units in May and June. [HL5611]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe number of young people deemed to be vulnerable by youth offending teams and placed in prison was 84 in May 2002 and 58 in June 2002.
We are working to increase the number of non-Prison Service accommodation available for juveniles. During June an extra 32 places were made available at Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre; and we are in the process of making an extra 35 local authority secure unit places available. And in November we are expecting an extra 32 places in Medway Secure Training Centre.