The Guardian view on young offenders: amid rising violence, they need support to change | Editorial

R.It has overwhelmed the deterioration of circumstances recently on the young perpetrators by the broader crisis that overwhelms the prisons in England and Wales. but Accounts Looking at the guardian by three mothers of the children currently in the HMP Swinfen Hall, in Stavedshere, they offer an exceptional high level of violence in the exceptional way that has become normalized.

Their descriptions of “constant fear”, informal knives, “drugs and knives everywhere” are chilling. Two women said they agreed to the prison decision of their children. But reading their testimony, which reflects the results of the recent prison inspector reconnaissanceIt is impossible to believe that any purpose of rehabilitation is presented. One of the women suggests that her son has become more violent instead of less because of the correct episodes, and is in line with the conclusion of the independent David Gauke review to issue the ruling that prisons Failure to reduce re -repetition.

Men’s prisons are often dangerous places, last month Attack Written by Hashem Abedi in HMP Frankland only one example of the risks faced by employees as well as guests. In parts of Young justice property Who holds those who reach 21 years in the institutions of the young perpetrator (YIIS), safe training centers and the role of safe children managers of the council-The problem is particularly sharp.

The special responsibility of the state towards children, and the importance of providing the second opportunities for those convicted when young people means that this failed system requires its own action plan. Among the current population of youth custody, 53 % of ethnic minorities and 63 % spent time in care. The ministers agreed in March Girls will not be held in Yice, after another report. But because 97 % of young people are in prison for males, understanding the biggest problem.

Over -over is not a problem with youth prisons, as is the case in adult prisons. But the lack of a suitable educational provision for a group of young people who need it strongly, more than half of them have special needs, not less than tragic. As well as the amount of time that many spend in their cells.

A lack of employees is one of the reasons why violence is out of control to the extent that the ministers recently agreed to Use pepper spray In some circumstances. The rate of attacks on employees, which is 14 times higher than men’s prisons, can partially be explained by the fact that more than two -thirds of those in Yois are for violent crimes. But it is clear from the recent inspection reports that the number of “retention”, who are not allowed to mix due to the risk of battles, is not sustainable.

The population of the youth nursery is less than a quarter of what it was 15 years ago, so there was progress and a decrease. Since the nursery threshold has been greatly raised, these institutions must be difficult places. But the review of Mr. Gauke indicated that the impressive youth natures mean that they have a higher re -submission rate than adults and also higher capabilities to stop. Since the ministers are planning their reforms, the detained children should not be removed.

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