Written question asked by Jim Cousins (Labour) on Friday, 9 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 October 2009. It was answered by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Thursday, 29 October 2009 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Young Offender Institutions: Injuries

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many actual or suspected fractures were incurred during use of force incidents at each young offender institution in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007 and (d) 2008;

Answer: The information requested is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost by asking every young offender establishment to analyse all use of force records for these four years. Use of force is a last resort and is lawful only if its use is reasonable, proportionate and necessary. On 15 December 2008 the Government published their response to the Independent Review of Restraint in Juvenile Settings which followed the deaths of two young people in secure training centres. As part of this a new four stage system is being developed for restraint of young people in both youth offender institutions and secure training centres.

Secondary information