Select committee: Justice Committee
Children and Young Adults in the Secure Estate
Open
Opened 12 Jan 2026
Justice Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
The Justice Committee has launched an inquiry into children and young adults in the secure estate in England and Wales to determine if the current system effectively prevents offending while upholding a "child-first" approach. The inquiry will scrutinise the various types of secure settings and the suitability and safety of these environments. We will explore the drivers behind high levels of self-harm, poor mental health and the use of physical restraint. This inquiry will also consider the transition of young people into the adult estate upon turning 18. We will also examine whether the current adult prison environment is appropriate for meeting the developmental, welfare and rehabilitative needs of young adults aged 18 to 25. Read the Call for Evidence to learn more about this Inquiry.
Where it stands
The inquiry is open, opened 12 January 2026.
The committee has not published a report yet.
Evidence
- 2 oral evidence sessionsLatest 8 September 2026
- 6 witnesses
Recent activity
- Sentencing of Children and Young People8 September 2026, Oral evidence
- Correspondence from Alison Clarke, Executive Director of the Youth Custody Service (HMPPS), dated 14 May 2026: Follow-up to the oral evidence session held on 21 April 20268 July 2026, Correspondence
- Oral evidence session21 April 2026, Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Sep 2026 |
Sentencing of Children and Young People
Dame Rachel de Souza · Office of the Children's Commissioner for England,
Laura Cooper · Youth Justice Legal Centre,
Steph Roberts-Bibby · Youth Justice Board for England and Wales
|
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| 21 Apr 2026 |
Oral evidence session
Mark Scott · HM Prison and Probation Service,
Phil Wragg · G4S,
Rachel Ashurst · Secure Children's Homes
|
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Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Dame Rachel de Souza · Children’s Commissioner for England | Office of the Children's Commissioner for England | 1 |
| Laura Cooper · Youth Justice Lawyer | Youth Justice Legal Centre | 1 |
| Mark Scott · Governor of HMYOI Wetherby | HM Prison and Probation Service | 1 |
| Phil Wragg · Director of Oakhill Secure Training Centre | G4S | 1 |
| Rachel Ashurst · Service Manager, Barton Moss Secure Children's Home | Secure Children's Homes | 1 |
| Steph Roberts-Bibby · Chief Executive | Youth Justice Board for England and Wales | 1 |
Correspondence
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| Published | Direction | Letter |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Jul 2026 | Not recorded | Correspondence from Alison Clarke, Executive Director of the Youth Custody Service (HMPPS), dated 14 May 2026: Follow-up to the oral evidence session held on 21 April 2026 |