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'...knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens...' (Jimi Hendix) |
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Mick Bates |
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Press Releases 2006 |
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| 2007 |
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Welsh Liberal Democrat AM Mick Bates has discovered Welsh young offender units are full – meaning new offenders could be sent far from home, hampering efforts to re-integrate them into society afterwards. Research by social justice spokesperson Mick has revealed all fifty youth custody places in Wales for under 18 year olds are filled at the moment, as the Youth Justice Board warns of a crisis in the system. Mick said: “Mismanagement from Westminster has led to this situation, and now the government has to make a choice. “Either the government must create more spaces to carry on locking up young offenders, or find a more effective way of tackling youth crime. So far the Labour Government has not got to the heart of the problem. They have failed to understand why young people get involved in crime or how to avoid it. “Of course we must protect the public, but we also need better ways of rehabilitating young offenders. We need to stop young offenders from returning to behaviour that damages communities. Filling youth custody wings up is not the answer.”
Notes⁄Nodiadau: Questions to the Members Research Service uncovered: · There are currently 50 people under 18 in custody in Wales. · There are 50 custody spaces available in Wales for people under 18 (36 in HMP & YOI Parc and 14 at Hillside Secure Centre) Custody for under 18s in England and Wales means either: Secure Training Centres, Secure Children’s Homes or Young Offender Institutions. There are no STCs in Wales. Youth Justice Board England and Wales website: http:⁄⁄www.yjb.gov.uk⁄en-gb⁄
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