Main content

Youth Justice?

Secure training centres are supposed to help child offenders get their lives back on track. But File on 4 investigates claims vulnerable young people have been repeatedly failed.

When secure training centres were launched nearly two decades ago they offered child offenders the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and get their lives back on track in a safe environment.

Today there are three units in England, Medway in Rochester, Oakhill in Milton Keynes and Rainsbrook in Rugby, which provide 30 hours of education a week as part of the rehabilitation process.

But the units have been dogged by serious concerns over the treatment of young people, including allegations of abuse, the inappropriate use of restraint and unsafe living conditions.

File on 4 investigates youth custody and reveals the scale of concern about life in secure training centres.

The Government has acknowledged there have been unacceptable levels of violence in youth custody and has recently announced a new generation of secure schools, which promise to equip young offenders with the skills to live successful, crime-free lives.
File on 4 asks whether these new facilities will be the long-term solution to turning young offenders' lives around.

Reporter: Simon Cox
Producer: Ben Robinson
Editor: Gail Champion

Photo Credit: Press Association

Available now

37 minutes

Last on

Sun 25 Nov 2018 17:00

Broadcasts

  • Tue 20 Nov 2018 20:00
  • Sun 25 Nov 2018 17:00

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.

Podcast