Country

United Kingdom

Detention issue

Juvenile prisoners

FRA research findings

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Legal instruments & key provisions

Legal instrument Key provision
England and Wales - no legal provisionDepending on their profile, children under 18 (‘juveniles’) can be detained in several kinds of establishments, but only Young Offenders Institutions can detain both boys and male adults. Although they can be held in the same establishments, juveniles are strictly separated from adults at all times. In England and Wales juvenile prisoners are boys aged 15-18 and young adults aged 18-21.
Scotland - No legal provisionJuveniles are detained in Young Offenders Institutions. Juveniles are generally held separately from adult prisoners unless mitigating circumstances dictate otherwise. In Scotland juvenile prisoners are boys and girls aged 16-21.
Northern Ireland - no legal provisionJuveniles are no longer detained within adults’ prison since 2012. Juveniles are detained in separate Juvenile Justice Centres.

NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM RECOMMENDATIONS

Year Recommendation Report