Youth offending - custody
Who can be sent to custody?
- 12-14 yr olds can be sent to Secure Training Centres under a Detention and Training order.
- 15-17 year olds can be sent to Young Offenders Institutions, YOIs.
How long can a young person be sent to custody?
- A Youth Court can sentence to between 4 months to 2 years in Young Offenders Institution.
- Crown Courts have more powers and if a young person is sent to Crown Court for trial or sentencing it is because a sentence of more than two years is being considered.
YOS support for young people in custody
The purpose of custody is to protect the public from harm, to punish and to prepare the young offender for living in the community again.
The YOS is responsible for planning what happens in custody and for what happens when the young person is released. Planning meetings are held with parents at the place where the young person is held to make sure they are safe and have plans for learning and addressing why they had to be sent to custody.
Page last updated: 16/06/2009
