Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 29
29
Youth Custody Service and Young Offender Institutions fail children with excessive cell time
Conclusion
The Youth Custody Service, and in particular Young Offender Institutions, is clearly not working for children. Children should not be spending up to 23 hours a day in cell due to the failure of HMPPS to manage behaviour effectively. It is disappointing that the only action the Government has taken has been the introduction of PAVA spray, which several stakeholders disagreed with. (Conclusion, Paragraph 119)
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 30 January 2026. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗