§ Charles HendryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he collects on re-offending rates for those who have been contained in secure units. [175834]
§ Paul Goggins[holding answer 25 May 2004]: We plan shortly to publish research on reconviction rates for juvenile offenders, including those who have received custodial sentences. Because some offenders serve their sentences in more than one type of establishment, it is not possible to give a breakdown between different types of custodial establishment.
§ Charles HendryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that children sent to secure units are contained as near to their families as possible. [175835]
§ Paul Goggins[holding answer 25 May 2004]: The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB) is responsible for commissioning and purchasing secure accommodation for young people who receive custodial sentences, and for placement decisions.
It aims to improve the geographical spread of places suitable for the younger and more vulnerable young people in secure training centres (STCs) and local authority secure children's homes (LASCHs). It has already expanded two STCs by a total of 64 places and a new one is due to open this summer at Oakhill, Milton Keynes. Based on modelling of the home locations of young people placed since April 2000, the 80 places that will be provided should improve the geographical coverage, in particular for young offenders from north London.
§ Charles HendryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is the policy of the Youth Justice Board to reduce the number of beds it commissions from local authority secure children's homes; and what assessment he has made of the effects of such a policy. [175837]
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§ Paul Goggins[holding answer 25 May 2004]: The Youth Justice Board's policy is to achieve higher standards of provision across the juvenile secure estate. This includes increasing and improving the geographical spread of places suitable for younger and more vulnerable young people in secure training centres (STCs) and local authority secure children's homes (LASCHs).
As part of this policy, in 2004–05,80 new STC places are due to open and 64 of the LASCH places will no longer be needed.