Youth offending teams do not always properly assess the health needs of young people, even though young offenders have disproportionately high levels of physical, emotional and mental health needs, according to the joint report from the Healthcare Commission and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation.
The report also warned that information sharing between healthcare and criminal justice system professionals was inadequate, which often resulted in courts failing to consider relevant issues such as learning disabilities when sentencing young offenders.
Anna Walker, chief executive of the Healthcare Commission, said: "If we are truly serious about breaking the cycle of crime and preventing young offenders from becoming adult offenders, we must make sure that health needs are addressed.
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