Susannah Hancock to review girls’ placements in youth custody
Baroness Susannah Hancock has been appointed to lead an independent review of the use of secure accommodation for girls in the youth justice system in England and Wales.
The review will examine the current provision of secure accommodation for girls, and make recommendations on how it can be improved to better meet their needs.
It will also consider the use of alternatives to secure accommodation, such as community-based placements, and the role of support services in helping girls to reintegrate into the community.
The review was announced by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) on 7 November 2024, following concerns about the high number of girls being placed in secure accommodation, and the disproportionate impact of this on girls from minority ethnic backgrounds.
In 2023, there were an average of 93 girls in secure accommodation on any given day, compared to 1,023 boys. Of the girls in secure accommodation, 44% were from a minority ethnic background, compared to 33% of boys.
The MoJ said that the review would “build on the progress that has already been made to improve the youth justice system for girls, and ensure that they are getting the support they need to turn their lives around.”
Baroness Hancock said that she was “honoured” to have been asked to lead the review, and that she was “determined to make a difference to the lives of girls in the youth justice system.”
She said: “I will be listening to the experiences of girls who have been in secure accommodation, and to the views of those who work with them. I want to understand what works well, and what needs to be improved.”
The review is expected to report its findings in 2025.
About Baroness Susannah Hancock
Baroness Susannah Hancock is a crossbench peer in the House of Lords. She is a former Lord Mayor of London and a former chair of the Magistrates’ Association.
She has a long-standing interest in youth justice, and has previously served as a member of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales.
About the Youth Justice System in England and Wales
The youth justice system in England and Wales is responsible for dealing with children and young people who have committed offences.
The system is designed to balance the need to punish young offenders with the need to protect the public and to rehabilitate young offenders.
Secure accommodation is a type of custody for children and young people who are considered to be a risk to themselves or others, or who are likely to abscond.
There are currently two secure accommodation units for girls in England and Wales: Hassockfield Secure Training Centre in County Durham, and Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre in Northamptonshire.
Susannah Hancock to review girls’ placements in youth custody
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
UK News and communications a new article on 2024-11-07 16:19 titled “Susannah Hancock to review girls’ placements in youth custody”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
160