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Welcome to the EuroPris Knowledge Management System. The table below shows questions and responses from European National Agencies. Select a question for more information or use the filters on the left to narrow down questions based on Agency or Category.
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Introduction: The principal rule of Finnish legislation is that juvenile prisoners should be kept separate from adult prisoners. The placement of juvenile prisoners and juvenile prisoners on remand is problematic because there are no separate prisons for them and prisons do not have premises reserved only for juvenile prisoners, separate from those used by adult prisoners. The Criminal Sanctions Agency would like to collect information on how other countries have organized the placement and activities of juvenile prisoners with relation to adult prisoners.
Spanish Prison Service is not in charge of juvenile prisoners. This issue depends on other public services delegated in the Comunidades Autonomas.
Can juvenile offenders sentenced to imprisonment be placed outside the prison for the duration of their prison term? If yes, where? Who makes the decision on the placement?n/a
What kind of activities are available for juvenile prisoners during their prison term? (E.g. rehabilitation, education, other programmes)n/a
Who are involved in the planning of the release of juvenile prisoners?n/a
Young people under the age of 18 serve their sentence in Her Majesty’s Prison & Young Offender Institution (HMP & YOI) Polmont, a dedicated establishment for holding young people up until the age of 21. When the numbers of young people in custody was high (circa 1,000 in 2010) a separate hall - (Blair Hall) - was used to house 16 and17 year olds. Over the last 10 years the number of young people being received into custody has fallen dramatically (circa 350 in 2020) and as a consequence the 16 and 17 years olds have been integrated into the main 18-21 regime. (NB in Scotland the age range for being defined as a young person in custody is 16-21).
Can juvenile offenders sentenced to imprisonment be placed outside the prison for the duration of their prison term? If yes, where? Who makes the decision on the placement?Young people in Polmont are require to serve the duration of their sentence in custody. Towards the end of a sentence, and after suitable risk assessments, a young person may have the opportunity to engage in daily work activities out with the perimeter of the establishment. SPS currently runs a scheme where a small number of young people are bussed into SPS HQ to gain work experience in the building’s canteen facility.
What kind of activities are available for juvenile prisoners during their prison term? (E.g. rehabilitation, education, other programmes)In conjunction with partner agencies such as Education Scotland, Fife College, and Barnardo’s, HMP & YOI Polmont provides a full prospectus of activities and opportunities for those young people held in custody to enable them to prepare with confidence for release and reintegration back into the community. • Citizenship, Wellbeing and Engagement - peer mentoring, library, media centre, gymnasium; • Citizenship, Community and Families - life-skills, parenting, anti-bullying, Paws for Progress (training and rehabilitation of rescue dogs for re-homing); • Barnardo’s Inside Out Youth Work - drop-in sessions, Duke of Edinburgh awards, bereavement; • Fife College – education (numeracy, literacy), arts, drama, ICT; • Chaplaincy - beliefs and values; • Services - bike repair, gardens, recycling and waste management, industrial cleaning; • Vocational Training and Employment – plumbing, painting and decorating, bricklaying, joinery, engineering, fork-lift driving, hairdressing, enterprise and employability; • Programmes – Youth Justice Programme.
Who are involved in the planning of the release of juvenile prisoners?The Integrated Case Management process has a series of stages for managing the individual throughout the duration of the sentence. Towards the end of the sentence, the Pre-release Case Conference meeting explains the Community Integration Plan (CIP) to the individual. The Pre-Release CIP will make explicit what the prisoners’ responsibilities will be on release. The Pre-release Case Conference will comprise all necessary and relevant professional staff such as the personal officer, prison-based social worker, community-based social worker, psychologist, health and addiction workers, third sector support workers etc. The Pre-release Case Conference is scheduled to take place three months prior to the individual’s release. It is set at this point in order to allow all the agencies sufficient time to engage with other service providers and plan any actions necessary prior to the individual’s eventual release from custody. The Pre-Release Case Conference is not seen as the end point of the joint activities, rather the beginning of a “transition phase” between custody and the community.
Custody for all children in Northern Ireland - as ordered by Courts, is provided in Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre (JJC). Woodlands JJC is the only facility in NI providing custody for children within the youth justice system. Yes. Woodlands JJC is a children facility and managed and maintained separately from the adult prison service. No. Woodlands JJC is a purposely designed, modern and self-contained facility.
Can juvenile offenders sentenced to imprisonment be placed outside the prison for the duration of their prison term? If yes, where? Who makes the decision on the placement?No. However there is capacity to release children from custody in preparation to phase back safely into community towards the end of their sentence. The Director of Woodlands is ultimately responsible for the admission and discharge of children; however, given the complexities involved in safely discharging children from custody, a multi-agency team will make plans to safely discharge sentenced children into approved accommodation and organise a range of needs-based support services, as required to safeguard children.
What kind of activities are available for juvenile prisoners during their prison term? (E.g. rehabilitation, education, other programmes)Each child will have an individually tailored, needs-based care plan, which takes account of health deficits, mental health needs, educational and vocational skills deficits, offending and behavioural challenges as well as developing life-skills ( developing resilience, making better life and relational choices, preparation for living alone and for entering the world of work, where appropriate).
Who are involved in the planning of the release of juvenile prisoners?A multi-agency team involving key workers, custody-based social workers, community-based social workers, educationalists, mental health specialists and others as required.
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In Latvian imprisonment places, men and women are separated as well as minors and adults. In Cesis Correctional Institution for Juveniles, the male minor inmates start to serve their custodial sentence. In Ilguciema prison – the female juvenile persons begin to serve their custodial sentence in separate prison units that have been arranged in conformity with the requirements laid down for juvenile correctional institutions. Ilguciema prison is an imprisonment place for both adult and juvenile women. Part 2 Section 507 of the Sentence Execution Code of Latvia states that "the convicted male minors shall serve the sentence of temporary deprivation of liberty in juvenile correctional institutions while female minors shall serve such sentence in separate units of a female prison which have been arranged in conformity with the requirements laid down for juvenile correctional institutions".
Can juvenile offenders sentenced to imprisonment be placed outside the prison for the duration of their prison term? If yes, where? Who makes the decision on the placement?In Latvia, the juvenile offenders to whom a prison sentence is imposed, according with the legal acts of the Republic of Latvia, may not be placed outside the prison for the duration of their prison term.
What kind of activities are available for juvenile prisoners during their prison term? (E.g. rehabilitation, education, other programmes)The following activities are available for minors in Cesis Correctional Institution for Juveniles and Ilguciema Prison for the duration of their prison term: - General education, interest and non-formal education activities; - Unpaid work with the consent of minors; - Psychological care; - Mental care; - Solving social problems; - Leisure activities (sports events, culture events, informative events, arts and amateur activities); - Resocialisation programmes (for example, "Programme of Improving Social Skills and Reducing Stress for Prisoners", thinking and behavioural correction programme "EQUIP" etc.). The Administration pays the attention that inmates sentenced with a temporary deprivation of liberty are not involved in the acquisition of general or professional education. But, as far as possible, the interest education activities and involvement in social behaviour correction programmes are organized for them.
Who are involved in the planning of the release of juvenile prisoners?According with the legislation of the Republic of Latvia, the staff of the deprivation of liberty institution (officials and employees of Resocialisation department) prepares the minor for release and informs about the current issues (for example, issues about the place of residence, receiving social services and social assistance etc.) Before the release of the minor, the staff of the deprivation of liberty institution contact state and local government authorities, for instance, State Probation Service, Custody Court, about the issues within their competence. The Administration additionally informs that the minors released from the correctional institutions, who have not reached the age of 18, are sent to parents or to persons who replace them. If the parents are dead, unknown or they are deprived of custody or care rights or the guardian has been removed, the administration of the deprivation of liberty institution informs the Custody Court of the former residence of the released person, as well as for minors whose parents are dead, unknown or whose parents are deprived of parental authority, the Custody Court of the previous place of residence appoints a guardian or takes a decision about their placement in an orphanage or foster family.
One of the principles of placement of the prison population in Slovakia, in accordance with generally binding legal regulations regulating execution of pre-trial detention and prison sentence, is separate placement of the juvenile offenders from the adults. In the view of relatively low number of juvenile offenders (30 pre-trial detainees and 53 prisoners, representing 0.8 % of the total prison population), we do not have established the facility where would be solely placed juvenile offenders. Juvenile pre-trial detainees are placed within all remand prisons. Juvenile prisoners serve their sentence in one prison (juvenile men in the Juveniles’ Prison in Sučany, juvenile women in the Prison Nitra-Chrenová). They are usually accommodated separately from adult pre-trial detainees or prisoners. In exceptional cases (e.g. there are no other juvenile offender in remand prison; there is a risk the juvenile may self-harm), the juvenile offender can be placed also together with the adult who has low prognosis of risk conduct.
Can juvenile offenders sentenced to imprisonment be placed outside the prison for the duration of their prison term? If yes, where? Who makes the decision on the placement?Juvenile offenders are placed for serving the prison term in a closed prison. However, based on the decision of the Prison Governor, they (as well as adult prisoners) have the possibility to leave the prison for a short time (up to 5 days) due to urgent family reasons, especially the death of close person, the birth of child or due to the visit of cultural, awareness–raising, sport, educational or spiritual activities.
What kind of activities are available for juvenile prisoners during their prison term? (E.g. rehabilitation, education, other programmes)When setting the treatment program, the same treatment methods, forms and means are used as for adult prisoners (education, inclusion to work cultural, awareness-raising activities, leisure activities and special pedagogical programs). The difference in contrary with adults is only in their content focus and intensity of contact by specialised staff (under a generally binding regulation, the number of staff dealing with juvenile offenders shall be approximately 1/3 higher than in the case of other prison population).
Who are involved in the planning of the release of juvenile prisoners?A wide spectrum of experts are involved in the planning the release of juvenile offenders. These are mainly case managers, social workers and psychologists (staff of our prison service), staff of social-legal protection of juveniles (they are in charge of state coordinated educational measures carried out with released juveniles) and volunteers of NGOs.
There is a distinct justice system for Children aged 10 -17 years old, which has a separate custodial estate from adults comprising of under 18 Young Offender Institutions (YOIs), Secure Training Centres (STCs) and Secure Children’s Homes (SCHs). Under 18 YOIs accommodate 15-17 year old boys; STCs accommodate 12 – 17 year old boys and girls, are smaller in size than YOIs and are generally for more vulnerable children. SCHs are operated by local authorities, are generally small facilities with a high ratio of staff to children and accommodate vulnerable boys and girls aged 10 – 17.
Can juvenile offenders sentenced to imprisonment be placed outside the prison for the duration of their prison term? If yes, where? Who makes the decision on the placement?When children under 18 are remanded or sentenced to custody, the Youth Custody Service (YCS) decides where to place them – either into an under 18 YOI, STC or SCH. The placement decision is based on the information provided by youth offending teams (YOTs). The YCS’s Placement Team will contact the relevant YOT to make sure the needs, risks and circumstances of each children has been taken into account. The YCS placement guidance is published online via: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/647093/Placement_Guidance_Sept_2017_YCS.pdf
What kind of activities are available for juvenile prisoners during their prison term? (E.g. rehabilitation, education, other programmes)The YCS offers 27 hours formal accredited education per week to all CYP in YOI’s. This includes the offer of national vocational qualifications and an additional three hours of PE delivered by the establishment Physical Education (PE) staff. This aims to provide the basis for a successful rehabilitation and resettlement back in to the community, improving Education, Training and Employment opportunities. The Twinning Project links establishments to football clubs and the Park Run is carried out inside the fences, with some children able to attend these events externally, providing a link with the outside world and which further enhances chances of a successful resettlement. Additionally the establishments individually link with outside sports clubs and providers to enhance the enrichment opportunities. From a sport perspective this includes football and rugby. Cadets courses are run, equipping children to prepare for life outside and which improve their team working and also provide qualifications. All of the sites offer the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. There is a multi-faceted Behaviour Management Strategy with the aim of addressing the needs and risks of young people through multiple elements. Included within the BMS is an Interventions model which includes a portfolio of psychologically driven programmes which are approved for delivery with children in custody and are designed to reduce to self and other through challenging behaviour e.g. offending.
Who are involved in the planning of the release of juvenile prisoners?The establishment/site caseworker for children, along with Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) in the relevant local authorities both have active roles in the planning of the release of children. The YOT will ensure all sentence plan activities contribute to the reduction of risk to others and prepare children for release back into the community. The YCS create the documents detailing the conditions of release after the input from the YOT. Depending on the circumstances of the individual, other agencies will assist in the planning for release. This can include Police, accommodation providers and social workers. All professionals involved in the care of children will contribute to their resettlement.
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Sentenced male juveniles are placed in a separate juvenile remand prison-correction house. Sentenced female juveniles are placed in a female prison. Sentenced female juveniles are allocated separate cells.
Can juvenile offenders sentenced to imprisonment be placed outside the prison for the duration of their prison term? If yes, where? Who makes the decision on the placement?No. The sentence may be suspended for the period from a year to three years. A sentence may be suspended if there are justified reasons to consider that the goals of the punishment are achieved without actual execution of a sentence.
What kind of activities are available for juvenile prisoners during their prison term? (E.g. rehabilitation, education, other programmes)Juveniles participate in correctional behavior, improvement of social skills and positive occupation programs, assistance is provided on personal and social problems as well as psychological assistance, individual and group psychological therapy – the activities are approved by the Director General of the Prison Department. General education (mandatory to juveniles up to 16 years of age), vocational training, working activities are also available to juveniles. Other different measures which facilitate social rehabilitation of juveniles are also offered.
Who are involved in the planning of the release of juvenile prisoners?Prison staff, representatives of local municipalities, Child Protection Agency, NGOs, religious communities, educational institutions, probation and volunteers. The decision re. conditional release is taken by court.
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The juvenile sentenced offenders serve their prison sentence either in a minor ward separated from adults in prison, or in specialized penitentiary structures reserved only for minors (seven prison establishments for minors and 44 minors’s quarters in classic prisons). The’re places for minor girls and there is an establishment only for girls. Also, there are plans to build establisment for minors in the coming years.The penitentiary administration manages those two types of prisons and there is an intervention of educators from the judiciary protection of youth services.
Can juvenile offenders sentenced to imprisonment be placed outside the prison for the duration of their prison term? If yes, where? Who makes the decision on the placement?The juvenile offenders can be placed in judicial placement structures either before of after (even instead of) prison, according to the situation. In any case the judge is the one to decide of any placement or prison sentence. Educators must make a written report to the juvenil judge. These are the placement possibilities : - Foster families : according to the profile and situation, a minor can be placed in a foster family and there is an important follow-up made by the social workers. Usually these families work in convention the judiciary youth protection through diversified accommodation educational units - Collective accomodation educational unit : these units can welcome up to 12 minors between 13 and 18 years old, they live in the structure in average from 3 to 6 months renewable. Psychologists, educators and other members of a multidisciplinary team work altogether to help the minors on all the aspects of everyday life : health, education, relationship with their family, judicial situation… - Reinforced educational centers : the teenagers in conflict with the law can be placed in those centers for 6 months sessions, usually far from their usual environment. The staff works every day with the minors to help them on educational and judiciary aspects. - Closed educational centres : those centers have a capacity of 12 minors. Even if they are not prisons, they are completely closed and no exit is possible without a professional of the center. The specificity of those center sis that any violation of the rules by the minor can lead to prison as this is precisely an alternative to prison.
What kind of activities are available for juvenile prisoners during their prison term? (E.g. rehabilitation, education, other programmes)In prison the education is an essential aspect of the everyday life of minors in detention. They get lessons from teachers. They also benefit of many different activities like sports and cultural activities such as reading.
Who are involved in the planning of the release of juvenile prisoners?Both directions of the ministry of justice are involved : the penitentiary administration and the judiciary protection of youth. There are also many partnerships and conventions signed with diverse entities
The juvenile sentenced offenders serve their prison sentence either in a minor ward separated from adults in prison, or in specialized penitentiary structures reserved only for minors (seven prison establishments for minors and 44 minors’s quarters in classic prisons). The’re places for minor girls and there is an establishment only for girls. Also, there are plans to build establisment for minors in the coming years.The penitentiary administration manages those two types of prisons and there is an intervention of educators from the judiciary protection of youth services.
Can juvenile offenders sentenced to imprisonment be placed outside the prison for the duration of their prison term? If yes, where? Who makes the decision on the placement?The juvenile offenders can be placed in judicial placement structures either before of after (even instead of) prison, according to the situation. In any case the judge is the one to decide of any placement or prison sentence. Educators must make a written report to the juvenil judge. These are the placement possibilities : - Foster families : according to the profile and situation, a minor can be placed in a foster family and there is an important follow-up made by the social workers. Usually these families work in convention the judiciary youth protection through diversified accommodation educational units - Collective accomodation educational unit : these units can welcome up to 12 minors between 13 and 18 years old, they live in the structure in average from 3 to 6 months renewable. Psychologists, educators and other members of a multidisciplinary team work altogether to help the minors on all the aspects of everyday life : health, education, relationship with their family, judicial situation… - Reinforced educational centers : the teenagers in conflict with the law can be placed in those centers for 6 months sessions, usually far from their usual environment. The staff works every day with the minors to help them on educational and judiciary aspects. - Closed educational centres : those centers have a capacity of 12 minors. Even if they are not prisons, they are completely closed and no exit is possible without a professional of the center. The specificity of those center sis that any violation of the rules by the minor can lead to prison as this is precisely an alternative to prison.
What kind of activities are available for juvenile prisoners during their prison term? (E.g. rehabilitation, education, other programmes)In prison the education is an essential aspect of the everyday life of minors in detention. They get lessons from teachers. They also benefit of many different activities like sports and cultural activities such as reading.
Who are involved in the planning of the release of juvenile prisoners?Both directions of the ministry of justice are involved : the penitentiary administration and the judiciary protection of youth. There are also many partnerships and conventions signed with diverse entities
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, young people are detained separately from adults. There is also a correctional facility with a section for young people. The separation applies to all types of detention.
Can juvenile offenders sentenced to imprisonment be placed outside the prison for the duration of their prison term? If yes, where? Who makes the decision on the placement?No.
What kind of activities are available for juvenile prisoners during their prison term? (E.g. rehabilitation, education, other programmes)All usual treatment programs are offered. For example: addiction treatment, addiction counseling, debt counseling, anti-violence training, preparation for discharge, vocational and school education, work and employment, psychological treatment, sport, leisure activities, preparation for discharge ...
Who are involved in the planning of the release of juvenile prisoners?The prison staff is responsible for planning and preparing the release: Social workers, lawyers, psychologists, other correctional staff. Intensive cooperation takes place with the probation service and other external authorities.