Children and young persons in custody 2011-12 : an analysis of the experience of 15-18 year olds in prison

Published jointly with the Youth Justice Board, this 8th review from the HM Inspectorate of Prisons exams the perceptions of young men and women detained in young offender institutions across England and Wales.

The report summarises the responses of 926 (58%) young men and 25 (93%) young women, held in custody at the time of the surveys.

Between 2010-11 and 2011-12, the number of young people in custody fell by 14% and now stands at 1,543, with the total detained falling by over a third.

The surveys demonstrate wide variations in young people's perceptions in different establishments.

The reduction in the number of young people held in custody though does not appear to have affected perceptions of their experiences.

There has been an increase, up to 32%, in the number of young people who have felt unsafe at some time in custody.

The proportion of young people from black and minority ethnic communities has stabilised at around 42%.

Also the number of young men who described themselves as Muslim had increased from 16% to 21% in 2011-12.

About a third of young people surveyed, 30%, had been looked after by the local authority at some point. The report states that young people's own perceptions of their experience in custody, their hopes and concerns, should form part of the evidence that shapes the future of the youth justice custody estate and policy.