AYJ Monthly Newsletter: September 2022
AYJ
NEWS
BLOG: A note from our Interim CEO, Saqib Deshmukh
Our Interim CEO has written about current challenges around diversity in the YJS, the AYJ’s upcoming work and strategy, and the principles that continue to guide the AYJ’s projects. Read the blog here.
AYJ
VIEWS
EVIDENCE SUBMISSION: Civil Society Alternative Report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
The AYJ has submitted written evidence to the Children’s Rights Alliance for England’s (CRAE) call for evidence on the UK’s adherence to its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child are set to examine the UK on its obligations in 2023, providing an important opportunity for civil society to highlight concerns to the UK government and the UN Committee surrounding children’s rights, recommendations for change, and to track progress. CRAE is leading this process on behalf of civil society in England, and invited evidence on key developments since 2020 to inform its submission. AYJ’s Policy Manager Millie Harris also provided oral evidence. More information on the examination process and reports so far is available here.
AYJ COMMENT: Purpose of specialist custodial setting the Keppel unit remains unclear
The AYJ released a comment following the publication of HM Inspectorate of Prison’s progress report on HMYOI Wetherby and the Keppel unit, which highlights a lack of progress to address previous inspection findings that Keppel had “lost its identity” and was “no longer delivering a distinctive therapeutic environment”. A review into the role of the unit has taken place but not yet been published. The AYJ argues that such a review should have occurred as part of a review of the future custodial estate as a whole. Coupled with the concerning findings from the thematic review of outcomes for girls in custody (see below), the deterioration of Keppel is yet more grounds for a fundamental rethink of youth custody. AYJ states: “It is high time for the government to stop treating various crises across the secure estate as isolated issues and publish a national strategy…developed with full and open consultation.”
AYJ COMMENT: HMIP’s thematic review of outcomes for girls in custody
The AYJ released a comment following the publication of HM Inspectorate of Prison’s thematic review which found a “dysfunctional” and “frail” secure estate consistently failing girls. The AYJ argues that cases of “exceptionally vulnerable girls” being unnecessarily remanded to custody, subjected to greater instances of restraint than boys, and being placed in “institutions least able to meet their needs”, highlights yet again the need for a comprehensive plan for the future secure estate, to ensure their safety and welfare. The review finds that “without exception” girls in the secure estate have “long histories of exposure to traumatic events”; custody is not being used as a last resort; and there is a “vicious cycle of self-harm and restraint”. The Howard League responds, Russell Webster summarises, CYPNow reports.