Vox Pop: Should national youth custody standards be relaxed?

YES - Tim Bateman, reader in youth justice, University of Bedfordshire

Managerialism, embodied hitherto in national standards, has permeated youth justice, encouraging a risk-averse, process-driven practice, at odds with evidence that effectiveness requires skilled interaction between staff and children with whom they work.

Additional discretion has already been afforded to youth offending team practitioners and it is right that similar leeway should be given to staff in custody. Of course, children in prison are particularly vulnerable and outcomes from incarceration are notoriously poor.

But increased discretion does not imply a lack of accountability and relaxing standards is a first step in promoting a child-focused rather than a process-orientated practice.

NO - Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns, The Howard League for Penal Reform

Although we believe that professional discretion and the removal of bureaucracy are positive for workers and young people, we are concerned that in fiscally constrained times, this could pave the way for a reduction in standards for young people both in and leaving custody.