AYJ Response: Justice Select Committee inquiry into children and young adults in the secure estate

The Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ) has submitted written evidence to the Justice Select Committee’s inquiry into children and young adults in the secure estate. Our response sets out serious concerns about safety, welfare and rehabilitation in custody, and highlights how far current provision is from meeting children’s rights and needs.

Our submission calls for custody to be used only as a last resort, the closure of Young Offender Institutions and the remaining Secure Training Centre, and greater investment in small, welfare based alternatives and community led support. We also raise concerns about racial disproportionality across the secure estate, including the disproportionate use of restraint and force on racially minoritised children. In addition, we raise concerns about high levels of violence, restraint and isolation, the impact on children’s mental health and education, and the unmet needs of girls, neurodivergent children and young adults.

Read our full response here.