Week Nineteen - Children in Custody

Question 1

Secure Children’s Homes

Answer 1

10 in England (15 in 2004)

<200 children, aged 10-17

Girls and boys mixed

Size: range from 6 – 40 beds

Staff ratio is 1:2 or 6:8

Average cost per child per year is £215,000

Question 2

Secure Training Centres

Answer 2

3 in England, approx 300 children

Private companies

Children aged 12-17

Staff ratio is 2:5 or 3:8

One mother and baby unit with space for three girls

Average cost per child per year is £160,000

Question 3

Prisons - Young Offender Institutions

Answer 3

12 prisons in England and Wales, for 2,760 children

Nine prisons for boys and 3 units for girls (attached to female prisons)

11 run by Prison Service, 2 run by private companies

Only six prisons are dedicated children’s

YOIs; in the other prisons, children share a site with adult prisoners

Boys aged 15-17 and girls aged 17

Staff ratio is 3:40 or 6:60

Average cost per child per year is £60,000