Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Supporting Young Offenders

Tuesday 5 November 2024 · 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 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The quality and quantity of education in young offenders institutions have declined over the past decade.
  • MP visits to prisons are encouraged as a way to help young offenders and offenders of all ages.
  • The Minister suggests that the Justice Committee examine the disclosure framework for minor offences to aid rehabilitation and job opportunities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Paul Davies Lab Colne Valley
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts Education
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Nicholas Dakin

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not outline specific actions or commitments to improve the educational support for young offenders.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Paul Davies Lab Colne Valley
Justice & Courts
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Nicholas Dakin

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.

Answered

Not addressed: null

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Justice & Courts Employment
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Nicholas Dakin

My hon. Friend, the Chair of the Justice Committee, identifies a subject that might well be useful for his Committee to examine.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide any specific actions or commitments regarding reviewing the disclosure framework.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Andrew Slaughter Lab Hammersmith and Chiswick
Justice & Courts
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Nicholas Dakin

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.

Not addressed: The answer suggests writing for a response rather than providing an immediate assurance.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Tessa Munt Lib Dem Wells and Mendip Hills
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
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.

Question

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.

Answer from Nicholas Dakin

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.

Answered

Not addressed: null

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email