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Offender Management Bill

My Lords, I support the amendment moved by my noble friend Lord Listowel, if only because it has been known for a very long time that a large proportion of offenders, and therefore of prisoners, have been in care. One example of good practice comes from Northern Ireland. Lay representation for young offenders in institutions has been pioneered by Nacro, which has provided trained volunteers with whom young people in custody can share their personal problems and complaints. The representatives have been able not only to befriend them, which my noble friend Lady Howe mentioned, but to present their cases at disciplinary and other hearings. Is there an equivalent scheme in England and Wales? If not, could something similar be piloted, at least in a few areas?