Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many use of force incidents occurred during the escorting of detained children to and from (a) young offender institutions, (b) secure training centres and (c) secure children’s homes in each of the last five years; and what proportion of these involved the use of (i) Minimising and Managing Physical Restraint (MMPR) and (ii) non-MMPR techniques.

We do not hold the data as requested. Minimising and Managing Physical Restraint (MMPR) has been specifically developed for use by staff working with young people in custody. It was introduced in May 2016 and provides a greater emphasis on managing challenging behaviour without resorting to restraint and also stresses the importance of accurate reporting to enable the ongoing analysis of its effectiveness. It also includes restraint techniques which have, for the first time, been assessed by an independent panel of medical and behaviour management experts (the Restraint Advisory Board).

I have, however, provided below a table which sets out incidents requiring restraint techniques for escorts to and from Secure Training Centres (STCs), Secure Children’s Homes (SCHs) and Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) from 2016 to 2018

More specific data in relation to the level of restraint used on children during journeys to and from STCs and SCHs is not held or collected. However, such scenarios are rare with only 12 incidents taking place in 2018. HMPPS review each of these incidents individually, considering any incident forms and in-vehicle CCTV footage to consider whether any lessons can be learned.

The safety and welfare of young people held in custody is our highest priority. Restraint is only ever used as a last resort, where there is a risk of harm, and no other form of intervention is possible or appropriate. Every incident of restraint is reviewed by the establishment, this includes looking at whether any lessons can be learned for the future.

In addition, Charlie Taylor has been asked to review the Department’s policy on the use of pain-inducing techniques in the restraint of young people in the secure estate, including when they are under escort, to ensure that our approach remains appropriate for the youth estate and in line with the latest research. He is due to report back to Ministers with his findings in Summer.

[1] Data for Use of Force on journeys to and from STCs and SCHs broken down by sector is not collected or held. Data on Use of Force in escort journeys to and from STCs and SCHs broken down between MMPR and non-MMPR techniques is not collected or held.

[2] MMPR does not currently apply to YOI journeys