YJB apologises for delay in publishing reports

A number of studies, including an evaluation of intensive fostering, completed in December 2008, are yet to be published, in some cases years after the study ends.

It is understood other unpublished reports include studies on the disproportionate number of black and ethnic minority children in custody and indeterminate sentences.

John Drew, chief executive of the YJB, said the research process can be "highly complex". "Over the past two years, the YJB lost some of its focus in managing these activities effectively, creating unacceptable delays in publishing some of our research," he said. "For this, we apologise unreservedly."

He added that a "huge effort" has been made within the YJB to prioritise the work and a review of the board's research and publications functions has taken place to ensure it is managed more effectively.

Penelope Gibbs, director of the Prison Reform Trust's campaign to reduce child imprisonment, said academics had raised concerns with her and emphasised that research has to be fresh to be useful. "The sooner the outstanding studies are published the better," she said.

Two long-awaited evaluation studies have appeared on the YJB website in recent weeks - an evaluation of resettlement and aftercare provision was published on 3 June, having been commissioned in 2006, and an evaluation of the scaled approach was published on 17 June following a study between December 2006 and June 2007.

The YJB was unable to say how many research reports remain unpublished as CYP Now went to press. A spokeswoman said a list would be made available as soon as possible.