CYP Now - MINISTER'S QUESTION TIME: Margaret Hodge, Minister for children, young people and families

How do you plan to take forward the implications of the High Court judgment in December 2002, when it ruled that young offenders in prison are entitled to the same protections under the Children Act 1989 as any other children?

The Howard League took the Home Office to judicial review in November 2002 over a statement in its prison service guidance PSO 4950 Regimes for Prisoners under 18 Years Old, that the Children Act 1989 does not apply in prisons. Mr Justice Munby's judgement stated that this was wrong in law.

In addition, the Joint Chief Inspectors' Report - Safeguarding Children (October 2002) - recommended that the Home Office and Youth Justice Board should issue revised guidance to the prison service and the Area Child Protection Committees' member organisations on how to safeguard children in prisons and young offender institutions.

The Government fully accepted these recommendations, and a review of safeguarding procedures in prison services is currently under way. A revised PSO 4950 guidance, based on the review's findings,will be issued shortly.

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