MoJ commits to review use of custody for young offenders

The review, set out in a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), London Councils and the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (Mopac), will focus on the use of custody for under-18s across London - covering both police custody and the youth secure estate.

In January 2018 there were 237 young offenders from London in custody, but Justice Secretary David Gauke said reoffending rates are higher in the capital than other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, almost half (118) of young people from London in custody were held in establishments outside the city, a situation that undermines efforts to stop reoffending according to the memorandum.

The memorandum also outlines plans to address the over-representation of young black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) Londoners in the criminal justice system.

"This agreement will fundamentally change the way the criminal justice and offender management systems interact with local partners in London," said Gauke.

"On young offenders, the MoJ will facilitate joint analysis with an aim of improving outcomes, with particular focus on addressing BAME disproportionality across the system."

The agencies have also pledged to find a site to open a secure school in the capital. Secure schools were proposed in Charlie Taylor's youth justice review to provide education and rehabilitation instead of young offender institutions. The government wants to open two pilot secure schools with the intention of having them replace all existing youth custodial provision within a decade.

The agencies will also look at ways to change the funding and commissioning of London's youth justice services. The memorandum says this is needed because the existing arrangements have led to "a lack of consistency in service quality, a disconnection with safeguarding services and too many young people incarcerated in large establishments far from home".

The transition from juvenile to adult custody will also be examined. Options being considered include continuing youth justice services for young offenders with low levels of maturity after they turn 18 and creating courts dedicated to handling cases involving 18- to 25-year-olds.

Plans developed by the agencies will start being implemented from March 2019.

Naomi Hulston, chief operating officer at Catch22, said: "The memorandum of understanding is an important, and progressive step towards keeping young people out of the criminal justice system and making our communities safer.

"There are clear social and financial benefits to communities and commissioners working in a joined up way, breaking down the arbitrary funding and delivery silos that have been developed. Pooling expertise, funding and experience will lead to better outcomes, and deliver far greater impact.

"Coercion and control must not be the defining factor in the rehabilitation of young people. Young people need three things to transform their lives; positive people around them, a purpose, and a good place to live.

"When community alternatives aren't suitable, a secure school has the ability to provide all three. Sentencing young people far from home often makes little sense, isolating them further from the local services and networks that they need, from employment opportunities and health support, to positive role models and family."