Scheme to help children on remand set to expand

A Children’s Society initiative, that has helped more than
a thousand children on remand in prisons, closed last week after
the Youth Justice Board decided to roll out its work in the prison
service to all parts of the country, writes Clare
Jerrom.

The ‘remand rescue’ project, which was set up four years ago,
and became the ‘national remand review initiative’ in December 1999
aimed to reduce the number of children aged between 10 and 17 held
on remand in prisons and secure units, and to find community
alternatives to custody.

It operated in four regions: London, the north west, the west
Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside.

In one year, the initiative found alternative placements to
prison for more than 1,000 young people. This resulted in 55,000
less days spent in custody, and saved £35 million in prison
placements.

The funding for the project came to an end last week, but in
recognition of its success, the Youth Justice Board will take on
the main areas of its work and expand it to cover all areas of the
country.

Bob Reitemeier, chief executive of the Children’s Society,
said: “We are very pleased that the work will be continued, and is
now part of the services children will receive when they are
remanded to custody.”