John Drew, chief executive of the YJB, today officially opens the Keppel Unit, a new custodial facility for boys.
The Keppel Unit, at Wetherby Young Offender Institution (YOI), West Yorkshire, holds up to 48 boys, mainly from the north of England.
This new unit represents the YJB’s ongoing commitment towards making custody more effective. The innovative design, including more classrooms, and new ways of working within the unit means that the young people will receive enhanced levels of support and access to education and programmes intended to improve their chances of leading crime free lives on release.
The YJB has worked closely with the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) to create a unit for boys who are unlikely to engage with the standard YOI regime. This could be because they have emotional or physical immaturity, are at risk of being bullied or withdraw from standard activities.
The unit started taking young people in October 2008, and while it largely focuses on 15 to 17-year-olds from the north east, north west, West Midlands and the Yorkshire and Humber region, young people from further afield will be considered in certain circumstances. Placement to this unit, through the YJB, is dependent upon a protocol to ensure that only those with appropriate needs are placed there.
John Drew, chief executive of the YJB, said:
“The YJB is committed to improving the way that young people are looked after in custody and reducing the chance that they will reoffend on release. Through targeted support, this new unit is helping those young people who might otherwise struggle while in custody, to better understand the reasons behind their offending and get the help they need to move their lives forward in a positive way.”
Will Styles, governor of Wetherby YOI, said:
“Our mission to reduce reoffending is hugely important. But we must always keep in mind that Wetherby and the wider under 18 estate is a place where we are entrusted with the care of children. Some of those in our care are amongst the very most vulnerable, disadvantaged and difficult to reach young people in our society. Keppel gives us an excellent resource to provide the highest levels of care and opportunities for rehabilitation to them. By meeting their individual needs we can dramatically improve their opportunities to turn their lives around.
“The Keppel Unit project is a shining example of what can be achieved by the Prison Service and YJB working together. It is the most inspiring and worthwhile undertaking that I have ever been a part of and I am extremely proud of this very special opportunity to help change young lives, reduce crime and make our communities safer.”
Notes to editors
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The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB) oversees the youth justice system in England and Wales. We work to prevent offending and reoffending by children and young people under the age of 18, and to ensure that custody for them is safe, secure, and addresses the causes of their offending behaviour.
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Specifically, we advise the Secretaries of State for Justice and for Children, Schools and Families on the operation of, and standards for, the youth justice system; monitor the performance of the youth justice system; purchase places for, and place, children and young people remanded or sentenced to custody; identify and promote effective practice; make grants to local authorities or other bodies to support the development of effective practice; commission research and publish information.
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The Keppel Unit is a two-storey building with four wings, each with 12 bedrooms and group activity areas. A central hub contains classrooms, rooms for private meetings and healthcare services. There are also various outdoor exercise facilities. In addition to the Keppel Unit, the YJB has also commissioned the construction of a new vocational training workshop at the main site, where young men can learn practical skills such as plastering, plumbing and joinery that will enable them to find employment on their release.
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Kier Northern is the building contractor assigned to the task of building the Keppel Unit. Kier Northern operates a comprehensive service throughout the north of England. The business operates from centres in Leeds and Sheffield, covering a geographical area which extends from North Yorkshire to North Lincolnshire and to the east of the Pennines. For over 25 years the business has established an excellent reputation for carrying out a broad range of services across all market sectors. Public sector experience includes healthcare, prisons, schools, colleges and universities, as well as local and central government frameworks. Private sector projects include, but are not limited to, food and non-food retail, commercial, hotels and leisure and student accommodation.
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