Young Offenders (Hansard, 19 April 2004)

§ Charles Hendry
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to streamline the inspection regime for secure units for juvenile offenders. [162314]

§ Paul Goggins
From 1 April 2004 the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), which replaces the Social Services Inspectorate, will inspect local authority secure children's homes and secure training centers. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons will continue to inspect Young Offender Institutions holding juveniles, with support from CSCI.
Within those arrangements, there will be greater harmonisation of the approach to education inspections through use of the same methodology and a consistent pool of inspectors.

§ Mr. Oaten
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 9 February 2004,Official Report, column 1262W. on juvenile prisoners, if he will provide a brief description of (a) the fixtures and facilities in the unfurnished cell in each establishment, (b) its location within the prison and (c) the items of clothing and personal possessions which the prisoner is allowed to have with him. [162438]

§ Paul Goggins
Every special or unfurnished cell ("special accommodation"), when used for the temporary confinement of juveniles under Rule 51 of the Young Offender Institution Rules 2000 (or Rule 48 of the Prison Rules 1999) is heated, ventilated, has a window or other natural light, and an intercom or other means of allowing the young person to communicate with an officer. There is access to toilet and sanitary facilities.
The Prison Service does not provide other fixtures or facilities in special accommodation when used for the temporary confinement of juveniles, having regard to the fact that the young person's refractory or violent behaviour may result in damage to themselves or property; and the fact that the confinement is only temporary and must cease as soon as the refractory or violent behaviour has ended.
123W
Special or unfurnished cells are located in the establishment's segregation unit, which in some cases is known as the "separation and care unit" or "intensive support unit". The only exception is at HMYOI Wetherby, where the unfurnished cell is located temporarily near the administrative unit due to structural works in progress.
When a young person is placed in special accommodation a risk assessment will be conducted. This determines whether the young person is at risk of self-injury and whether normal clothing presents a hazard to his/her health. If in exceptional circumstances it is necessary to remove normal clothing, the young person is provided with protective clothing so that he/ she can be decently dressed and their normal clothing is returned to them at the earliest opportunity.
Personal possessions are not normally allowed in special accommodation given that the young people must only be kept there for the shortest possible time; and may often be in a volatile state, with the result that personal possessions may present the risk of self-injury or harm. However, permission may be granted on a case-by-case basis, if the risk assessment demonstrates the benefits would outweigh the risks.