In a landmark decision, the UK government declared it will stop placing girls in Young Offender Institutions (YOIs).
This decision follows Susannah Hancock’s review, which showed YOIs are unfit to meet the complex needs of young female offenders.
Understanding the Decision
Girls made up under 2% of inmates but accounted for over half of all self-harm incidents.
This alarming statistic underscores the vulnerability of these young individuals and the inadequacy of YOIs in providing the necessary support .
Minister for Youth Justice, Sir Nic Dakin, acknowledged the issue, stating:
“Girls in custody are often victims themselves, with complex mental health and emotional needs.
Ending their placement in YOIs for good is a first step in drastically improving the support they receive.
