Supporting Young Offenders 2024-11-05
2024-11-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP notes the decline in quality and quantity of education in young offenders institutions over the past decade, as reported by HM Chief Inspectors. He highlights challenges such as increased isolation for children.
What steps her Department is taking to support young offenders? Over the past decade, the quality and quantity of education in young offenders institutions has declined. The current system is failing them badly. Will the Minister outline what actions the Government can take to ensure that young offenders receive a high-quality education?
We know there is more to be done. Keep-apart lists make it difficult for children to access education in young offenders institutions, so we need to find different and better ways of reducing violence and delivering education in these settings.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not outline specific actions or commitments to improve the educational support for young offenders.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP draws on his experience as an MSP visiting HMP Porterfield in Inverness and suggests that similar visits by MPs would be beneficial.
Does the Minister agree that encouraging MPs to do the same would do a very great deal not just for young offenders, but offenders of all ages?
I commend the hon. Member's actions. He is right that visits to local prisons, or prisons elsewhere, are a good thing to do. I have recently visited Humber, Wakefield, and New Hall prisons, and will be visiting Wetherby young offenders institution tomorrow.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raises concerns about the criminalisation of young people based on recent Ministry of Justice statistics showing one in four working-age individuals have criminal convictions.
Is the Minister worried about the increasing criminalisation of young people? Should we not look at the current disclosure framework, so that people with criminal records for minor offences from years ago are not prevented from finding work, moving on and contributing to society?
My hon. Friend, the Chair of the Justice Committee, identifies a subject that might well be useful for his Committee to examine.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide any specific actions or commitments regarding reviewing the disclosure framework.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP refers to a specific case involving delays in the youth justice system affecting an individual who might be affected by reaching adulthood before their case is adjudicated.
A young person I know was involved in an incident at 16. Can the Minister assure me that, because delays to going through the youth justice system have meant that that young person has not had the case adjudicated, that young person will not be adjudged an adult if they pass their 18th birthday when a conclusion is reached?
The hon. Member draws attention to an issue. If she would like to write to me about that particular incident, I will write back to her.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer suggests writing for a response rather than providing an immediate assurance.
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP inquires about the steps being taken by the Department to support young offenders, focusing on the prevention of crime and improvement of their circumstances.
What steps her Department is taking to support young offenders. The young futures programme will be a prevention-first approach to crime reduction, building on the Department's successful turnaround programme. I was very pleased to visit the first secure school which will put education at its heart, ensuring children in custody turn their lives around.
The young futures programme will be a prevention-first approach to crime reduction, building on the Department's successful turnaround programme. I was very pleased to visit the first secure school which will put education at its heart, ensuring children in custody turn their lives around.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy