young offenders

People under 18 who are sentenced to custody are sent to secure centres for young people, not to adult prisons.

Why young people are sent to custody

A court can give a young person a custodial sentence if:

• the crime is so serious there is no other suitable option
• the young person has committed crimes before
• the judge or magistrate thinks the young person is a risk to the public

A young person can also be sent to custody on remand.

The Youth Justice Board decides which secure centre a young person will be sent to.

They will choose somewhere that:

• can deal with the young person’s needs safely, eg if they have a health problem
• is suitable for their age, sex and background
• is as near to their home as possible

2. Arriving at custody

The young person is interviewed by the reception officer as soon as they arrive.

The reception officer uses this interview to make sure the young person is properly looked after, eg if they need any health care.

Search

The young person will have some of their belongings taken away, like their money and phone.

They will also be searched to make sure they don’t have things like drugs on them.

Personal officer

Within the first few days, the young person will meet their personal officer. This person is in charge of the young person’s well-being for as long as they’re in the secure centre.

Find out more about the support that’s available for a young person in custody.

3. What custody is like for young people

Time in custody is spent:

• in lessons
• learning skills to get a job or to return to education
• taking part in programmes to improve behaviour
• participating in sport, fitness, and other activities

There are strict rules about what young people can and can’t do, and they may have to go through alcohol or drug counselling.

Types of secure centre

There are 3 types of custody for young people:

• young offender institutions
• secure training centres
• secure children’s homes

Young offender institutions:

• are run by the Prison Service and private companies
• are for people aged 15 to 21 (people under 18 are held in different buildings)
• house between 60 to 400 people, split into ‘wings’ of 30 to 60 people

Secure training centres:

• are run by private companies
• are for people aged up to 17
• house between 50 and 80, split into units of 5 to 8 people
• give 30 hours of education and training a week, following a school day timetable

Secure children’s homes:

• run by local councils
• are for people aged 10 to 14
• house between 8 and 40 people
• give 30 hours of education and training a week, following a school day timetable

  4. Visiting young people in custody

  You must arrange your visit first. Contact the secure centre to find out what you need to do.

  Who can visit

  Family members and friends can ask to visit. If you’re under 18 you have…