NCJ Number
163900
Date Published
1995
Length
35 pages
Annotation
This report charts a substantial and dramatic increase in the number of boys aged 15 and 16 who are remanded to prisons in England and Wales while awaiting trial.
Abstract
The survey shows that there were 1,478 juveniles aged 15 and 16 remanded to await trial in prisons in England and Wales over the 12-month period, October 1, 1993, to September 30, 1994. Numbers increased steadily during this period, reflecting a trend in an increased use of remands to custody for this age group since the implementation of the Criminal Justice Act of 1991 in October 1992. The increased use of prison remands has led to the placing of boys aged 15 and 16 in local prisons that have previously been considered unsuitable for this purpose. On average, the youths awaiting trial spend 1 1/2 months in prisons; the average time spent by youth on remand in prison before implementation of the Criminal Justice Act was 26 days. Among the recommendations are that in all local areas there be established an interagency review of bail and remand proceedings for youth under the age of 17. Another recommendation is that consideration be given to imposing two sets of time limits on proceedings that involve a youth who is subject to a remand to prison or security requirement. A third recommendation is that the central government fund the promotion and development of credible, community-based pretrial services of juveniles involved in criminal proceedings. Further, local authorities and probation services should have a statutory duty to provide a range of pretrial services, including bail information and bail support services. Appended tabular data for each jurisdiction and a 16- item bibliography