Young adults to be held at Hindley YOI

Hindley YOI near Wigan has a capacity of 440, but last month the Youth Justice Board (YJB) announced that the number of places it commissions for 15- to 17-year-olds would be reduced by 192 to 248.

It has now emerged that the site is to be split, with the spare capacity being used to hold young adults aged between 18 and 21.

Although the young adults will not be in contact with the juvenile population, campaigners say the move will have an impact on levels of provision on offer.

Hindley has previously been a split site, but a decision was taken in 2008 to only hold under-18s at the establishment.

A report by the Prisons Inspectorate at the time said the move was intended to “maximise resettlement opportunities, reduce reoffending, and improve safeguarding arrangements” through better access to age-appropriate services and facilities.

Feltham YOI, the only other existing split site that holds both juveniles and young adults, received a highly critical inspection report last month.

Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “We are disappointed the government is now looking to U-turn on its own evidence and policy in what works in improving the safety and life chances for children and young adults in custody.

“Splitting Hindley will do little other than replicate the failures of such confused split-site prisons of the past. 

“The only prison of this model currently left is Feltham, which received one of the worst inspectorate reports in recent memory. 

“Ignoring these concerns and creating a ‘Feltham Two’ is both bizarre and reckless.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “We intend to make the best use of the decommissioned places at Hindley.

"The high-quality, cost-effective and modern accommodation is suitable for a young adult population.

"However before any changes are made, there will be detailed planning in partnership with the YJB to ensure that safe, decent and age-appropriate conditions are maintained in the separate young people's establishment.”

Latest figures released last week show that the number of under-18s in custody is continuing to fall.

As of June this year there were 1,237 under-18s in custody, a reduction of 59.7 per cent since the peak of 3,072 in June 2008.

Lin Hinnigan, chief executive of the YJB, said: "The YJB remains committed to dedicated secure establishments for children and young people which are distinct from adult provision and specialist in their focus.

"Distinct provision with appropriately trained staff is important in enabling children and young people to respond to rehabilitation, health and welfare support and education and training.

"We are working with the National Offender Management Service to ensure that future provision at Hindley YOI continues to be based on these principles.

“It has been agreed that under-18s at Hindley will be held in entirely separate accommodation from young adults with discrete and separate regimes.

“To make this possible, it will be necessary to make physical alterations to the Hindley site and the staffing of the two provisions will be entirely distinct."