Secure Estate Strategy for Children and Young People

Tuesday 19th July 2011 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Crispin Blunt)]

Today is the launch of a consultation on the “Strategy for the Secure Estate for Children and Young People for England and Wales”.

This is a joint publication between the Ministry of Justice and the Youth Justice Board. The consultation invites views on a proposed strategy for the under-18 secure estate for the years 2011-12 to 2014-15. Custody continues to play an important part in the youth justice system for the small number of young people for whom a community sentence is not appropriate. The recent reduction in the number of young people in custody means that the secure estate is now going through a period of change. This presents an opportunity to consider the most appropriate configuration of the estate and consider whether different regimes can deliver improved outcomes.

The consultation, which will run for 12 weeks, and details on how to respond can be found on the Ministry of Justice website at www.justice.gov.uk.