HC Deb 01 March 1999 vol 326 cc564-5W
Mr. Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to publish the report on the former young offenders' institution at the Military Corrective Training Centre, Colchester. [73238]

Mr. George Howarth

It is intended to publish the full results of the evaluation of the young offender regime at Colchester Military Corrective Training Centre at the end of 1999, when one-year reconviction data will be available.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the education facilities that exist in each of the establishments in England and Wales where young offenders are held. [73497]

Mr. George Howarth

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to him on 13 January 1999,Official Report, column 198.

Education for prisoners over the age of 16 years is entirely optional. Education provision in prison establishments in England and Wales where young offenders are held focuses on remedial education in basic skills, combined with a wide variety of experience and training to equip young offenders to deal more effectively with life after imprisonment.

Education provision for those under 17 years of age is linked to the National Curriculum for schools insofar as facilities allow.

Information on educational facilities in each of the establishments in England and Wales where young offenders are held is not held centrally. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.