Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Paragraph: 28
The findings of HM Inspectorate of Prisons’ report on separation are serious and echo much...
Recommendation
The findings of HM Inspectorate of Prisons’ report on separation are serious and echo much of what has been reported in evidence to us and in other publications. We are concerned about differences in practice across the estate. The Ministry of Justice and Youth Custody Service should set out what is being done to ensure coherent and consistent practice across the estate.
Paragraph Reference:
28
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The thematic review conducted by HM Inspectorate of Prisons on the separation of boys in YOIs found a system of poor practice in the use of separation across the estate.1 Following the publication of the thematic review, the YCS took a range of immediate actions, including introducing a national single point of contact responsible for reviewing oversight arrangements for separation. These priority actions were followed by the publication of an action plan in January 2020 addressing the concerns identified by the inspectorate and setting out steps for implementation.2 Since this time, steady progress has been made against these actions, to help ensure more consistent processes and better outcomes for those separated. In addition to the action plan, the YCS established a taskforce as a result of the separation thematic to review the model of separation.3 Whilst the Government has been clear that separation should only be used as a last resort it is accepted that in practice this has not always been the case. The findings and recommendations, published in June 2020, were accepted and included the recommendation to create a new system of separation—work is now progressing in the creation of this new framework.