§ Lord Gainfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What arrangements they will put in place to assist financially the families of juvenile offenders in secure training centres when visiting their children in the centres.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)My right honourable friend intends to put in place a scheme which will enable a juvenile offender, on one occasion each week, to receive a visit from immediate family members, foster parents or guardians with the visitor able to claim reimbursement of the cost of that visit. My right honourable friend hopes that this will encourage more frequent contacts between families and offenders, thus helping to maintain ties and promoting the involvement of families in offenders' training plans and in their progress in the centre prior to returning to the community.