HC Deb 07 November 2002 vol 392 cc853-4W
Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young offender institutions do not possess in-house child protection protocols and committees. [78016]

Hilary Benn

All young offender institutions in the juvenile estate have developed child protection policies in line with a centrally produced protocol. Each establishment has also appointed child protection coordinator (and deputy) and has established a child protection committee.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which agency is responsible for investigating deaths in custody which take place while in young offender institutions. [78058]

Hilary Benn

All deaths in prison custody are investigated by the police who assess any criminal culpability and are subject to a coroner's request, which is held before a jury.

The Prison Service investigates all self-inflicted deaths in custody and conducts a clinical review of the treatment provided to a prisoner dying in prison from natural causes. These procedures apply in respect of adult prisoners, young offenders (18 to 20-year-olds) and juveniles (15 to 17-year-olds).

In addition, juvenile deaths give rise to a serious incident inquiry by the Youth Justice Board, which has responsibility for the placement of juvenile offenders and the appropriate Child Protection Committee may commission a "Part 8" case review, pursuant to Part 8 of "Working Together to Safeguard Children".

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many assaults on children under the age of 16 have occurred at each young offender institution in each of the past five years; [78062]

(2) what percentage of (a) boys and (b) girls under the age of 16 in young offender institutions in each of the past five years have been children in local authority care;[78064]

(3) what percentage of children under 16 who left young offender institutions to return to the community in each of the past five years has had residential accommodation arranged prior to discharge; [78063]

(4) how many of those resident in each young offender institution have been referred, whilst resident, to child protection services in each of the last five years. [78061]

Hilary Benn

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.