Chief inspector of prisons Anne Owers said that a minority of prisoners received an integrated and supportive resettlement programme but this was not extended to all young men in the prison.
Owers last year criticised the closure of a unit for under-18s at Thorn Cross YOI in Cheshire, following the withdrawal of funding by the Youth Justice Board, as it was the only open juvenile unit in England. The institution now holds a mixture of young adults (18- to 21-year-olds) and adult prisoners (21- to 25-year-olds).
She said: "Overall, Thorn Cross remains a high-performing YOI. However, it is now dealing with a more varied population, without the dedicated resources previously provided for juveniles. It will need to ensure it strengthens its resettlement work, to provide the best possible support for an age group that has a very high risk of reoffending."
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