Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Paragraph: 98
We note that the number of children on remand is high and that two thirds...
Conclusion
We note that the number of children on remand is high and that two thirds of children given a remand to youth detention accommodation did not subsequently receive a custodial sentence. Multiple factors appear to contribute to these numbers: an increase in serious violence; lack of credible community alternatives; and limited amount of time available to put together an alternative bail package may all be contributing factors. We welcome the MOJ’s current review of youth remand, but request more detail on what that review is covering. The Ministry should also set out the timeframe in which they intend to complete the review and publish its results and any action plan.
Paragraph Reference:
98
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
56. The review into the use of custodial remand for children completed its first phase of engagement with a wide range of CJS partners and stakeholders earlier in the year, focusing on the work and challenges faced by staff delivering and overseeing front-line operational services. We have also heard from children who have experienced custodial remand, to better understand their perceptions of the process and its impact upon them. 57. Some of our planned engagement was inevitably affected by the pandemic, with the result that completion of the fact-finding phase of the review has been delayed, but this work continues to be an important focus for us. 58. Further work and analysis are required before any conclusions can be drawn but, based on our research to date, we have identified an initial suite of recommendations. These pertain to improving data collection and analysis, identifying good practice and promoting effective partnership working throughout the bail/remand process, improving service delivery and enhancing community provision, and embedding disproportionality considerations in guidance, training and strategies. We are currently discussing and refining these recommendations with our partners and, as noted by the Committee, we have also put forward legislative proposals in the recent white paper A Stronger Approach to Sentencing, which will strengthen the legal tests necessary to remand children to custody and ensure that custody is only used as a last resort. Publication of the final report is now planned for spring 2021.