HC Deb 29 March 1994 vol 240 cc613-4W
Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his future policy will be on the detention of youths convicted of crimes.

Mr. Maclean

The Government's policy is to ensure that the courts have available to them a wide range of penalties, including custodial sentences. Custodial sentences in respect of young offenders aged 10 to 17 will be considerably extended by provisions in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill now before Parliament.

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what forms of detention are available to deal with convicted youths; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean

The following sentences of detention are currently available to the courts after the conviction of young offenders between the ages of 10 and 17:

Detention during Her Majesty's pleasure for murder from age 10.From age 14 (and from age 10 for manslaughter), terms of detention under section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 up to the adult maximum are available for crimes which are punishable in the case of an adult with 14 years imprisonment or more. In addition 14 to 17-year-olds who are convicted of the offences of causing death by dangerous driving or causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs may be sentenced to terms of detention under section 53 for a period up to the adult maximum penalty, which is 10 years. In the case of 16 and 17-year-olds, a term of detention under section 53 is also available for the offence of indecent assault on a woman up to the adult maximum, which is 10 years.

Area Project Total cost Cost to the Home Office
£ million £ million
Doncaster Works complex HM young offenders institution, Hatfield (commenced 1988) 1.0 1.0
Doncaster Construction of HM prison Moorland (commenced 1990) 47.2 47.2
Doncaster Construction of HM prison Doncaster (commenced 1990) 82.0 82.0
Doncaster Conversion of dormitories into cubicles, HM prison Lindholme (commenced 1993) 3.7 3.7
Wakefield Works Unit HM prison, Wakefield (commenced 1988) 1.1 1.1

For juveniles aged 15 to 17, detention in a young offender institution for a maximum of 12 months is available for any offence for which an adult may be sentenced to imprisonment.