Children in custody
What custody is like for children
Time in custody is spent:
- in education
- learning skills to get a job or to return to education
- taking part in programmes to help with issues that may have contributed to their offending
- participating in sport, fitness and other activities
There are strict rules about what children can and cannot do, and they may have to go through alcohol or drug counselling.
Types of secure centre
There are 3 types of custody for children:
- young offender institutions
- secure training centres
- secure children’s homes
Young offender institutions:
- are run by either the Youth Custody Service or private companies
- are for young people aged 15 to 21 (children under 18 are held in different buildings)
- house between 60 to 400 children, split into ‘wings’ of 30 to 60 children
Secure training centres:
- are run by either the Youth Custody Service or private companies
- are for children aged 12 to 17
- are usually smaller than young offender institutions, split into ‘units’ of 5 to 8 children
- give 30 hours of education and training a week, following a school day timetable
Secure children’s homes:
- are run by local councils
- are for children aged 10 to 17
- house between 10 and 38 children
- give 30 hours of education and training a week, following a school day timetable