Children’s minister urged to support young offenders

August 3, 2005 in Children, Education and training, Inspection and regulation, Youth justice

Children’s minister Beverley Hughes must take
responsibility for ensuring young offenders are supported when they
leave prison, a leading campaigner said this week,
writes Maria Ahmed.

Frances Crook, director of the Howard League for Penal Reform,
wants a meeting with Hughes to discuss the failure of local
authorities to provide support for young offenders on release.

Last week, the Howard League brought a judicial review case
against Bedfordshire youth offending team and Bedfordshire Council
for their failure to support a 17-year-old about to be released
from Warren Hill YOI in Suffolk.

The boy claimed he had nowhere to go on his release and said the
YOT had failed in its obligation to provide “firm
arrangements” for his accommodation and education or
training.

Bedfordshire Council said providing assistance to the boy had
been “made difficult” because of his past conduct but
in a court settlement agreed to offer provision.