Jargon Buster - Detention and Training Order (DTO)

What does it mean? A Detention and Training Order (DTO) sentences a young person to custody for between four months and two years. It can be given to 12- to 17-year-olds who are convicted of an offence for which someone aged 21 or over would go to prison. The first half of the sentence is served in detention - in a secure training centre, secure children's home or young offender institution - and the second half is spent in the community under the supervision of a probation officer, social worker or youth offending team.

The court can also require the young person to be on an Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme as a condition of the community period of the sentence. The Youth Justice Board describes this programme as the "most rigorous non-custodial intervention available for young offenders". It combines high levels of community-based surveillance with a sustained focus on tackling the causes of the young person's offending.