Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Secure Estate for Young People

Tuesday 9 June 2020 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Emma Lewell-Buck inquired about the Government's assessment of violence trends in the secure estate for young people and why a report was delayed.
  • Bob Neill questioned the staffing needs in the secure estate, noting the importance of relationship building and a serious approach to staffing in all prisons.
  • David Lammy asked for confirmation that measures limiting contact had been rectified immediately and inquired about a date for children's access to education and family visits.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Emma Lewell-Buck Lab Blyth Valley
Justice & Courts Children & Families
Context

In January, inspectors found that children were confined to their cells for up to 23 hours per day and subjected to restraint techniques causing injury.

Question

Emma Lewell-Buck asked about the Government's assessment of trends in violence on the secure estate for young people, highlighting concerns over high levels of violence despite recent visits describing sites as calm. She questioned why a report due last summer had not been published.

Answer from Lucy Frazer (Minister for Safeguarding)

The hon. Member correctly points out difficult reports in this area; her Majesty's inspectorate of prisons thematic report found separation issues leading to immediate actions including enhanced oversight and standardised data collection on separation. We commissioned Charlie Taylor to review pain-inducing techniques, and the report will be published shortly.

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Q2 Bob Neill Con Bexley Ilford South
Justice & Courts
Context

The Select Committee heard that violence remains high due to a challenging cohort with regular staff redeployment.

Question

Bob Neill asked if the Minister would look again at staffing needs, noting concerns about churn and relationship building. He mentioned the need for a serious approach and strategy for staffing in all prisons but especially secure estate.

Answer from Lucy Frazer (Minister for Safeguarding)

The hon. Friend acknowledges an important point; we are ensuring youth custody only for serious crimes, resulting in over 50% committing violent crimes, challenging us to provide bespoke support with early interventions. We have increased staffing by 27%, professionalising the service with a new foundation degree.

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Q3 David Lammy Lab Tottenham
Education Children & Families
Context

Children are spending long periods confined due to the pandemic, with an inspection finding children at Cookham Wood spending just 40 minutes outside their cells daily.

Question

David Lammy asked for confirmation that measures limiting contact had been rectified immediately. He inquired about a date by which all children would have access to education and family visits, given the priority now on returning children to school.

Answer from Lucy Frazer (Minister for Safeguarding)

The right hon. Gentleman correctly identifies severe lockdown measures taken due to 2,500 to 3,500 potential deaths; we took drastic action resulting in only 23 deaths overall. In YOIs, children now spend between two and three and a half hours out of cells daily; normal regimes are almost restored with visits and education prioritised.

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Q4 David Lammy Lab Tottenham
Justice & Courts
Context

One third of children on remand will not receive custodial sentences. With trials restarting, there are concerns over prioritisation.

Question

David Lammy questioned the Minister's actions with Lord Chief Justice to ensure fast-tracked criminal trials for children held on remand, given that two-thirds may not need a custodial sentence.

Answer from Lucy Frazer (Minister for Safeguarding)

The right hon. Gentleman rightly says custody should be a last resort; we have fewer than 700 youth in custody now. In the adult estate, judiciary fast-tracked remand cases; Youth Justice Board reviews those held on remand to assess release possibilities.

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Q5 Alexander Stafford Con Mid Worcestershire
Justice & Courts
Context

There is a need to ensure that prison officers have the right skills to manage and rehabilitate young people.

Question

Alexander Stafford asked about training programs for prison officers working in youth custody, noting the importance of cutting future offending rates through proper training.

Answer from Lucy Frazer (Minister for Safeguarding)

My hon. Friend makes an important point; introduced a new youth justice specialist role with funding for every prison officer in youth custody to take up foundation degree in youth justice, 30 completed and 400 started the training.

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