§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of concerted indiscipline have been recorded at each secure training centre in each quarterly period since they have been open and in total to date; and if he will make a statement. [114640]
§ Mr. BoatengThere have been a total of 45 recorded incidents of concerted indiscipline at the three secure training centres (STC) since the first centre opened. Medway opened on 17 April 1998, Rainsbrook opened on 1 July 1999 and Hassockfield opened on 17 September 1999.
The definition of concerted indiscipline is not uniform across the three contracts. In the Medway and Rainsbrook contracts, "concerted indiscipline" is defined as
Any single act committed by a group of more than two Trainees, which is in breach of the STC Rules.In the Hassockfield contract, "concerted indiscipline" is defined as
Any single incident when two or more Trainees act together with the intention of disrupting the order and discipline of the Secure Training Centre and/or refusing to desist any action or to comply with any lawful order.A quarterly breakdown of the total of recorded incidents of concerted indiscipline, by individual centre, is as follows:
Medway Rainsbrook Hassockfield April-June 1998 2 1— 1— July-September 1998 10 1— 1— October-December 1998 5 1— 1— January-March 1999 1 1— 1— April-June 1999 5 1— 1— July-September 1999 3 1 1 October-December 1999 5 2 4 January-10 March 2000 2 0 4 1 Not open Persistent young offenders often exhibit challenging behaviour. Preliminary analysis shows that half of the early recipients of the Secure Training Order had been excluded from school and at least 75 per cent. had been in local authority homes care. Many trainees have a history of disruptive behaviour in local authority homes. Previous community-based attempts to tackle their offending have proven to be unsuccessful.
165WDealing with large groups of volatile young offenders has been problematical. The centres have experienced early operating difficulties, each to varying degrees. The contractors continue to learn from their experience and my officials, with the assistance of inspectors from Social Services Inspectorate and Ofsted, continue to monitor the management of each of the centres.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the(a) capital cost of establishing each secure training centre and (b) average cost per place per year; how many places are there in total at secure training centres; what plans he has to open further secure training centres; and if he will make a statement. [114643]
§ Mr. BoatengThe capital costs of secure training centres are met by the contractors, with part of the contract payment (the fixed element) covering the cost of financing the capital expenditure. We estimate that the capital costs are in the order of £10 million per centre. The average cost per place per year, including the fixed element and based on full occupancy, is: Medway £149,445; Rainsbrook £118,161 and; Hassockfield £131,827 (all at January 2000 prices). There are 120 places in total at the three centres. There are currently plans to provide two further secure training centres. From 1 April, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales will take on the function of commissioning and purchasing secure accommodation for remanded and sentenced children and young people.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many employees involved in education have resigned at each secure training centre since they opened; and if he will make a statement. [114642]
§ Mr. BoatengThere are three secure training centres, each contracted to hold up to 40 trainees. Medway opened on 17 April 1998, Rainsbrook opened on 1 July 1999 and Hassockfield opened on 17 September 1999.
As at 10 March 2000, the number of teaching staff who have resigned at each of these centres since they opened is six at Medway; one at Rainsbrook; and five at Hassockfield. A further two teachers at Hassockfield are working their period of notice.
The contracts require each centre to provide each trainee with 25 hours per week of education and/or vocational training, and for nine full time equivalent teachers to be employed at each centre. Occasional shortfalls in the number of full time teachers have been remedied by the use of sessional teachers and all three centres have continued to deliver the requirement for twenty five hours of education per week per trainee throughout the period of contract.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost to date of damage caused by those held at each secure training centre; and if he will make a statement. [114641]
§ Mr. BoatengThe cost of damage caused by those held at secure training centres is met in full by the contractor and not passed on to the Home Office. Contractors are not required to provide details of such costs to the Home Office and the information requested is not, therefore, available.