Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Acknowledged
Following a long-term decline in children in custody, the Ministry and HMPPS anticipate the number...
Conclusion
Following a long-term decline in children in custody, the Ministry and HMPPS anticipate the number of children in custody to more than double from 2021 levels by September 2024. They expect children aged 15 to 17 in young offender institutions (YOIs) will increase from 343 in July 2021 to 700 in July 2025. They attribute this expected increase to courts recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, and government’s plans to recruit additional police officers.25 Currently, HMPPS has spare capacity in its youth secure estate—the occupancy rate was 60% in February 2022—but there is a risk that it will not have the right accommodation for some children’s needs.26 Its provision for more vulnerable children is limited, as the first secure school has not yet opened, and only one STC remains open but is subject to performance concerns.27 SCHs house very vulnerable children, but their legislative arrangements mean that the Local Authority running the SCH may refuse to accept a child if it perceives doing so will compromise that child’s safety and care or that of another child.28
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the forecasted increase in the youth custody population but suggests it may not materialize as quickly as previously estimated. They state that the youth estate currently has sufficient capacity.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
3.2 The youth custody population (including 18-year-olds in the youth estate) fell substantially from 3,208 in 2007-08 to 855 in 2019-20, driven by changes in police targets and a movement away from imposing custodial sentences on children for minor offences. The population fell to historical lows during the COVID-19 pandemic, standing at 502 in June 2022. Forecasts suggest that it will increase in future years, though there is high uncertainty around forecasting the youth custody population. Given the population has not yet shown signs of increasing as originally predicted, it is unlikely these forecasts will materialise as quickly as previously estimated. The youth estate currently has a maximum capacity of 1,037 places (852 Young Offender Institution places, 80 Secure Training Centre places, 105 Secure Children Home places) and as such, HMPPS considers there will be sufficient capacity across the estate.