§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons convicted young offenders with homes in the north of England have been held in Feltham young offenders institution over the last six months; and how many individuals have been involved.
§ Mr. Peter LloydResponsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 21 May 1993:
In the temporary absence of Mr. Lewis, the Director General, the Home Secretary has asked me to write to you in response to your Parliamentary Question about why convicted young offenders with homes in the North of England have been held in Feltham Young Offender Institution over the last six months; and how many individuals have been involved.
There has been a rapid increase in the number of young offenders being sentenced by the courts to custodial sentences. The bulk of this increase has occurred mainly in the North and Midlands, and whilst we have tried to find places in establishments near to home, it has been necessary to utilise accommodation in the South. This has involved 25 young juveniles, most of whom have now returned to their home area. The two remaining are content to stay at Feltham and take advantage of the wide range of regime activities that are available.