YJB commits to young offender suggestions for secure estate improvements
Janaki Mahadevan
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The Youth Justice Board (YJB) has pledged to improve practice across the secure estate, reduce the use of full searches and ensure complaints are handled fairly, following a consultation with young people.
In a joint project with the Office of the Children’s Commissioner and charity User Voice, the YJB listened to the views of young offenders in secure training centres, secure children’s homes and young offender institutions as well as young people under the supervision of youth offending services.
The board has now promised to review the criteria used when separating young people in custody to manage problems that arise. Work will also be undertaken with the National Offender Management Service and the Samaritans to improve young people’s access to helpline services.
John Drew, YJB chief executive, said: "Yet again, I'm impressed by the intelligent and sensible contribution children make when they are consulted on matters that affect them. We sought their views on a range of improvements we planned to make, and they have helped us shape those changes for the better.
"As a result, we have made eight commitments to improving the safeguarding of children in the secure estate (see below)."
User Voice, which conducted the consultation, is an ex-offender-led organisation that works with the most marginalised people in and around the criminal justice system.
Mark Johnson, founder of User Voice, said: "I am extremely pleased that the concerns of the young people have been taken seriously by the YJB. The powerful and thought-provoking views in this report are a reminder of the important role we all have in these young people’s lives, and the role that ex-offenders can play in gaining access to this extremely hard-to-reach group.
"Children and young people in the criminal justice system should receive the best support possible if we want them to turn around their lives to be positive and constructive citizens."
The majority of the 89 young people who participated in the research recognised that some practices were necessary to maintain their safety and that of others. But strong feelings were expressed about the way some procedures were carried out.
Children’s commissioner Maggie Atkinson said: "The views gathered through this project demonstrate the importance of listening to and involving children in matters affecting their lives. In doing so, we can ensure that we treat those in custody in a dignified and humane way that is focused on their rehabilitation.
"We will work with the YJB to encourage them to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into all youth justice polices and practices. During the next year, we will continue to visit and speak to young people in the secure estate to ensure the commitments laid out in this report are realised."
The YJB’s eight commitments are:- The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) will redesign complaints forms, information booklets and posters next year
- The YJB will work with NOMS to deliver training and guidance to improve the quality of staff responses to complaints and improve young people’s access to independent agencies
- The YJB will work with providers to ensure all responses to complaints are delivered face-to-face and that young people always have the chance to give feedback
- Full searches should only ever be undertaken on a risk-led, rather than a routine basis
- Gowns will be provided when full searches are deemed to be necessary
- The use of separation as a punishment or for the purpose of control will be phased out in young offender institutions
- Separation should only ever be used for the shortest possible period
- The YJB will ensure that helplines can be accessed from young offenders' rooms and offer confidentiality