Offender Management Bill

We all got there in the end. I tabled Amendment No. 125 in response to a very helpful briefing from the Standing Committee for Youth Justice. The Committee will be aware that members include organisations such as Barnardo’s, the Children’s Rights Alliance for England and the NSPCC among many others. I am grateful to the noble Lords, Lord Judd and Lord Ramsbotham, for adding their names to the amendment. This matter was raised by my honourable friend Mr Edward Garnier in Committee in another place way back on 23 January, reported at col. 204 of Commons Hansard. I make no apology for bringing this matter back for debate tonight. When my honourable friend withdrew the amendment, he made it clear that we did not consider this merely a debating exercise. An important point about humanity lies at the core of our amendment, which we believe must be addressed. Clause 32 sets out arrangements for juveniles tobe escorted securely between any forms of youth detention accommodation. We hope that the debate on this clause will offer the opportunity to address the significant concerns that we have about the conditions and treatment of children during transportation from both court to custody and between establishments. The conditions in which the children are transported are often very poor. Young people report spending lengthy periods in what are only, after all, sweatboxes, without access to food and water or regular toilet breaks. The Standing Committee for Youth Justice points out that such treatment may be incompatible with the United Kingdom’s human rights obligations under Article 37 of the UNCRC, which states: "““Every child deprived of liberty shall be treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the human person, and in a manner which takes into account the needs of persons of his or her age””." Following an inspection of Onley young offender institution last year, the report of the Chief Inspector of Prisons stated: "““It is deplorable to find, as we did, that some young people were not only reduced to urinating in the escort vehicle, but also had to clean it out on arrival””." These conditions are exacerbated by the length of time that young people are often detained in them, as highlighted by Anne Owers, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, in a speech last year to the Judicial Studies Board: "““A major concern remains the length of time prisoners can spend in court cells, or on their journey to prison … the situation, particularly for women and young people, remains unacceptable. At Feltham last year, young people were still arriving as late as 11 pm, and being transported with adult men and women, after lengthy waits in court””." Our amendment would require the Secretary of State to ensure that young offenders’ safeguarding and welfare needs are addressed during their transport. I hope that the Minister is able to accept the amendment. I beg to move.