Her Majesty's Young Offender Institution
Her Majesty's Young Offender Institution (or HMYOI) is a type of British prison intended for offenders aged between 18 and 20,[1] although some prisons (particularly Ashfield[2] and Huntercombe[3]) cater for younger offenders from ages 15 to 17, who are classed as juvenile offenders.[4] Typically those aged under 15 will be held in a Secure Children's Home and those over 15 will be held in either a Young Offender Institution or Secure Training Centre.[5] Generally a young offender is regarded as such until the date of their 21st or 22nd birthday, whereupon he or she will be sent to an adult prison or can remain in the YOI until they turn 22 if deemed appropriate.
Background
Young Offender Institutions were introduced under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, but special centres for housing young offenders have existed since the beginning of the 20th century, with the first being opened at Borstal, Kent in 1902.[6]
The regime of a Young Offender Institution is much the same as that of an adult prison. However, there are some slight differences, notably the lower staff to offender ratio. Prisoners serving sentences at Young Offender Institutions are expected to take part in at least 25 hours of education per week, which is aimed at helping them to improve their behaviour, to develop practical skills for use in the outside world and to prepare them for lawful employment following their release. There are also opportunities for prisoners to undertake work in Community Service Volunteer programmes.[7]
List of Young Offender Institutions
There were as of 2005 15 dedicated institutions:
- HMYOI Altcourse
- HMP Ashfield
- HMYOI Aylesbury
- HMYOI Deerbolt
- HMYOI Grimsby
- HMYOI Huntercombe
- HMYOI Lancaster Farms
- HMYOI Northallerton
- HMYOI Onley
- HMYOI Polmont
- HMYOI Portland
- HMYOI Derby
- HMYOI Rochester
- HMYOI Stoke Heath
- HMYOI Swinfen Hall
- HMYOI Thorn Cross
- HMYOI Werrington
- HMYOI Wetherby
and 22 which share their site with other penal establishments:
- HMP & YOI Askham Grange
- HMP & YOI Brinsford
- HMP & YOI Brockhill
- HMP & YOI Bronzefield
- HMP & YOI Castington
- HMP & YOI Chelmsford
- HMP & YOI Durham
- HMP & YOI East Sutton Park
- HMP & YOI Elmley
- HMP & YOI Feltham
- HMP & YOI Guys Marsh
- HMP & YOI Hatfield
- HMP & YOI Hindley
- HMP & YOI Hollesley Bay
- HMP & YOI Low Newton
- HMP & YOI Moorland
- HMP & YOI New Hall
- HMP & YOI Norwich
- HMP & YOI Reading
- HMP & YOI Warren Hill
- HMP/RC & YOI Exeter
- HMYOI & RC Glen Parva
See also
References
- ↑ "Ministry of Justice". Retrieved 9 March 2012.
- ↑ "Ashfield". HM Prison Service. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
- ↑ "Hunterscome". HM Prison Service. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
- ↑ "Young people and custody". Directgov.co.uk. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
- ↑ "Ministry of Justice". Retrieved 13 January 2009.
- ↑ "Young Offender Institutions". Politics.co.uk. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
- ↑ "Ashfield Young Offender Institution". Retrieved 9 March 2012.