§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many people under 18 years of age are currently detained in adult prisons; and when the Government intend to apply the Children Act 1989 to such cases. [HL180]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)On 21 November one under-18 year-old male was kept in adult accommodation while three were in young offender institutions (YOIs) without specific provision for juveniles. In the women's estate on the same date, all the women under 18 years old were held in YOIs. Sixteen were being held without specific provision for juveniles. Ten of those were unsentenced.
The court has held that the Prison Service's policy, subject to the correction of one sentence, complies with domestic law, including the Children Act 1989. Further, it more than adequately meets the Prison Service's obligations under human rights law.