Teenager Sent to Young Offenders Institution in London as Parc Prison Facilities Are Full
A teenage offender from Torfaen was compelled to serve a custodial sentence in London due to the lack of space at the Parc Young Offenders Institution for boys aged between 15 and 17, located at Parc Prison near Bridgend. This issue came to light during a briefing on the youth offending service to Torfaen Borough Council’s children and families scrutiny committee. Adam Nash, the operations manager for the Torfaen and Monmouthshire Youth Offending Service, disclosed that the young individual had been given a detention and training order after repeatedly violating a “robust” community rehabilitation order imposed by the Crown Court, which included an electronically monitored curfew.
Mr. Nash highlighted that the local detention centre, YOI, typically used is Parc, and the Welsh Government aims for all children to be held in Wales. However, the scarcity of placements for Welsh children arises from the placement of children from outside Wales, predominantly from London, at Parc. This issue has been a recurring topic at meetings of youth justice managers in Wales. While there are provisions in Neath and Bristol for younger children, the resource constraints mean that a child could be placed anywhere, including Liverpool. It was noted that custodial sentences for children are rare, with the recent case involving the teenager sent to custody dating back to last year.
An inspection report by the chief inspector of prisons in January following an unannounced visit to Parc YOI revealed that the facility has a capacity for 46 boys across two units, yet only 28 were being held at the time. The report noted that about a third of the inmates were 18 years old but remained in the children’s facility due to national population pressures in the adult estate. Despite being praised as the best in England and Wales and setting a benchmark for other facilities, the report highlighted a decline in purposeful activity at Parc YOI. Additionally, the quality of education was deemed as ‘adequate’ by inspectors.
Education inspectors Estyn identified a “limited curriculum and weaknesses in the quality of teaching” at Parc YOI, leading to the decline in the quality of education offered. The issue of teenagers from Wales not being able to secure a place at the Parc Young Offenders Institution highlights the challenges faced by the youth justice system in Wales. The emphasis on ensuring that Welsh children have access to appropriate facilities within the country is crucial in providing effective rehabilitation and support for young offenders. The ongoing discussions at various levels demonstrate the commitment to addressing these issues and ensuring the welfare and rehabilitation of young individuals involved in the justice system.
Jason O’Brien, Torfaen’s director for children and families, acknowledged the improvements in the use of custodial sentences for children over the years. With a focus on tightening the criteria for issuing such sentences, the aim is to provide more tailored support and interventions for young offenders. The complexities surrounding the placement of young offenders in appropriate facilities underscore the need for a collaborative approach among stakeholders to address the ongoing challenges and ensure the effective rehabilitation of young individuals in the justice system.