169/99 1 June 1999 Courts will have the power to remand juveniles direct to local authority secure accommodation from today.
Powers under sections 97 and 98 of the Crime and Disorder Act which come into effect on 1 June 1999 will allow courts to remand directly to local authority secure accommodation:
- 12 to 14 year olds,
- 15 and 16 year old girls, and, - where a place has been identified, vulnerable 15 and 16 year old boys.
A Government funded building programme has added 170 places to the local authority secure estate specifically to allow for the implementation of these provisions.
Home Secretary Jack Straw said:
"Our courts need a range of powers which allow them to deal with juvenile offenders. Secure remands are needed for young people whose alleged offending is so serious and persistent that secure facilities are the only way to prevent further offending and protect the public.
"From now on courts will have the power to order secure remands. This means that victims, communities and the police will no longer have to stand powerlessly by while young persistent ''spree'' offenders granted bail continue to commit offences and mock the criminal justice system."
The Government is committed to meeting the additional costs associated with a court ordered remand to local authority secure accommodation. A special payment arrangement has been produced and developed in consultation with the local authority associations.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
1. Guidance to coincide with the implementation of these provisions was issued to youth justice practitioners on 13 May 1999.
2. The Government is also strengthening community based arrangements to support and supervise young people granted bail. Over the next three years #35 million has been earmarked for this purpose from the Youth Justice Board Development Fund.
3. Prior to the implementation of sections 97 and 98 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, juveniles not released on bail were remanded to local authority accommodation. The local authority decided the nature of the accommodation. If the local authority proposed secure accommodation it needed to apply to the court. There were exceptional arrangements for the remand of 15 and 16 year old boys direct to prison, if strict criteria were met.
# = pounds sterling
