Consultation outcome

Transforming youth custody: putting education at the heart of detention

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Applies to England and Wales

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Transforming Youth Custody government response to the consultation

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email web.comments@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Transforming Youth Custody - impact assessment

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email web.comments@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Detail of outcome

Much has been achieved by the youth justice system: overall crime and proven offending by young people are down, and fewer young people are entering the criminal justice system and ending up in custody.

However, for serious and persistent young offenders, youth custody is not delivering good enough outcomes.

Secure Colleges

The document highlights how we are setting out plans to introduce a pathfinder Secure College, a new secure educational establishment which will put education at the heart of youth custody. The pathfinder Secure College will open in the East Midlands in 2017 and, if proven successful, will provide a blueprint for a network of Secure Colleges across England and Wales to replace most existing youth custodial provision.

Enhancing existing provision

As well as taking forward our plans to introduce a Secure College, we are improving education provision in Young Offender Institutions (YOIs). At present, 15-17 year olds in YOIs receive an average of only 12 hours contracted education a week. We have launched a competition for new contracts which will seek to more than double the number of hours young people in YOIs spend in education each week.

Resettlement

We are committed to improving the resettlement of young people in order that progress in custody is built upon on release. We want all young people to be returning to suitable accommodation, with more going into education, training or employment and fewer going on to reoffend.


Original consultation

Summary

We are seeking a wide range of views on the government’s plans for placing high quality education at the centre of youth custody.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

Overview

Our plans to reform youth custody will see young people appropriately punished while at the same time learning to take responsibility for their actions and gaining the skills and qualifications they need to lead productive, law-abiding lives. The paper invites views and outline proposals from a wide range of stakeholders and providers describing how they would implement our vision for secure colleges.

The consultation is aimed at:

  • businesses
  • citizens
  • voluntary organisations
  • local authorities
  • youth workers
  • young people
  • charities
  • young offender institute staff
  • staff at prisons with mother and baby units
  • offenders
  • victims
  • youth offending team workers

The consultation paper covers:

  • information on youth custody and the young people held there
  • the case for change
  • our vision for secure colleges which place education at the heart of the system

The main areas for consideration by all respondents are:

  • tailoring education to young people in custody
  • meeting the wider needs of young people in custody
  • closing the gap between custody and community
  • the physical environment and meeting demand
  • a focus on outcomes

Consultation events

To provide interested parties with the opportunity to discuss the proposals contained in the consultation document we have held open events in Leeds, London and Cardiff and it has been very welcome to get such strong, active participation from a range of organisations and individuals.

A further event will be held on 17 April. Join Chris Grayling, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, at the Oasis People’s Parliament. The Secretary of State will present a keynote speech on the government’s vision for transforming youth custody. This People’s Parliament event is an opportunity to ask questions, put your point across and take part in discussion.

Timings and venue

Thursday 17 April, 7.15pm-8.30pm

The Oasis Centre
75 Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1 7HS

For full details on the event and to register for your place please visit the Oasis People’s Parliament website.

Documents

Consultation: transforming youth custody: putting education at the heart of detention

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email web.comments@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Trawsnewid Trefniadau Caethiwed i Bobl Ifanc: Rhoi lle amlwg i addysg mewn caethiwed

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email web.comments@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Transforming youth custody: what do you think?

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email web.comments@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Updates to this page

Published 14 February 2013
Last updated 17 January 2014 + show all updates
  1. Response published

  2. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page