Table 3: Mapping transitions from the children’s to the adult custodial estate
Children’s
custodial
provision
England and Wales
Boys
Girls
Three different types of provision: Two different types of
secure children’s homes which
establishment: secure children’s
also accommodate welfare cases homes which also accommodate
(mixed sex); secure training
welfare cases (mixed sex); and
centres (mixed sex); and YOIs
secure training centres (mixed
(male only). Placement dependent sex). Placement dependent on
on age and assessed vulnerability. age and assessed vulnerability.
Adult custodial
provision to
which children
transition
Young adult YOIs, though in
practice these are increasingly
coterminous with adult prisons
and young adults are not
necessarily separate in such
establishments.
Age of transition Generally 18 years old.
How is transition Protocol published by National
managed?
Offender Management Service
(now HMPPS) and guidance by
Youth Justice Board – but this does
not appear to be well known or
consistently followed.
51
Scotland
Boys
Girls
Two different types of provision: Two different types of provision:
five secure care establishments
five secure care establishments
(mixed sex) which also
(mixed sex) which also
accommodate welfare cases
accommodate welfare cases
(four are managed by different
(four are managed by different
voluntary sector providers; one by voluntary sector providers; one by
a local authority); a single mixed a local authority); a single mixed
sex YOI which also provides for
sex YOI which also provides for
young adults but children are held young adults but children are held
separately.
separately.
Adult female prisons. In theory
A single young
A single women’s A single mixed sex YOI which
A single mixed sex YOI which
distinct provision for young adults offender institution. prison.
holds children and young
holds children and young
but in practice there is rarely any
people aged 16–21 (23 in some people aged 16–21 (23 in some
distinction.
circumstances). (Currently
circumstances).
adult prisoners also held on a
(Currently adult prisoners also
temporary basis.)
held on a temporary basis.)
Generally 18 years old.
Generally 18 years Generally 18
Before 18th birthday. 16–17-year- Before 18th birthday. 16–17-yearold.
years old.
olds are held separately.
olds are held separately.
Protocol published by National
Transition managed Transition
Secure care establishments have Secure care establishments have
Offender Management Service
according to
managed
developed links/
developed links/
(now HMPPS) and guidance by
established protocol according to
partnerships with YOI – to share partnerships with YOI – to share
Youth Justice Board – but this does which lays out
established
information prior to transition,
information prior to transition,
not appear to be well known or
transition stages,
protocol
allow child to meet personal
allow child to meet personal
consistently followed.
information sharing which lays out
officer, visit the YOI in advance of officer, visit the YOI in advance of
and provides for a
transition stages, transfer, etc.
transfer, etc.
Sometimes there is a phased
transition plan for
information
transition, e.g. from secure
each child.
sharing and
children’s home to young offender
provides for a
institution (YOI) to young adult YOI.
transition plan for
But direct transfer to adult facilities
each child.
may also occur. Children often not
given prior notice of transfer.
No published data. Youth Justice
Unpublished data
Unpublished data No data provided as yet but
No data provided as yet but
Board may be able provide
available. Number
available. No girls secure care establishments
secure care establishments
information on children turning
of boys transitioning have transitioned indicate that transition is
indicate that transition is
18 while in custody but this is not to adult custody has to adult custody becoming less frequent.
becoming less frequent.
routinely extracted. No figures
declined significantly in past five years.
provided to date.
over the past five
years from 18 per
annum to eight.
Section two Focus on detention issues
Is published/
unpublished
data available
on the number
of children who
transition to
adult custody?
Sometimes there is a phased
transition, e.g. from secure
children’s home to young offender
institution (YOI) to young adult YOI.
But direct transfer to adult facilities
may also occur. Children often not
given prior notice of transfer.
No published data. Youth Justice
Board may be able provide
information on children turning
18 while in custody but this is not
routinely extracted. No figures
provided to date.
Northern Ireland
Boys
Girls
A single (mixed
A single (mixed
sex) juvenile justice sex) juvenile
centre.
justice centre.
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