Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Paragraph: 133
We welcome the work being done to improve transition planning, and we note that work...
Conclusion
We welcome the work being done to improve transition planning, and we note that work is under way in the Ministry of Justice on how best to manage transition into adult custodial settings for those who turn 18. While cut-off points between youth and adult justice are necessary, we acknowledge concerns, not least from Young Advisers with practical experience, that the simple change from being 17 to 18 may not denote full maturity in some young people who are in custody, and that the transition may prove to be what the Chief Inspector of Probation calls a ‘cliff edge’ for those individuals.
Paragraph Reference:
133
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
60. The YCS are producing a ‘Transitions of young people from youth to adult custody’ Policy Framework’. The framework will set out the key principles for safe and successful early pre-transitions planning, transitions preparation and engagement with the receiving prison and active support during and post-transition. We aim to publish the Framework later this year along with the details of how the requirements will be rolled out across the children and young people secure estate and the young adult/adult prison estate. 61. Supporting this work, HMPPS are currently working in collaboration with the YCS to improve the transition process from youth to adult custody, this includes the ongoing pilot transitioning young adults from Wetherby YOI to HMYOI Deerbolt to improve the transitions pathway. The vision is to agree a national transitions process that can be operated consistently across the estate, with a central management body responsible for oversight of all transition’s arrangements based on individual need. 62. In the interim, the YCS have implemented a central oversight and assurance model to ensure the youth secure estate are carefully planning transitions and that young adults are informed and supported in these plans.