Youth custody: Closure fears over pioneering prison unit due tounder-use

The pioneering unit at the open prison in Cheshire opened last summer. Called Appleton House, young offenders can be placed there straight from sentencing, without having to first undergo assessment in another secure unit.

Julie Probert, implementation manager at Impact, which examines the young people's suitability at the centre, is concerned at the lack of use the Youth Justice Board-funded facility is receiving. Impact also runs a personal development programme at the prison.

"The unit is being under-used but we don't know if it's because youth offending teams don't know it exists or because of the extra paperwork they have to fill in at a time when they're already pushed with getting the young person ready for court," she said. "We have staff, a building and excellent facilities but we're not getting referrals." Probert said the unit could hold up to 10 young men but was regularly receiving just two a week. "How long can you keep something empty or holding one or two lads a week?" she said.