Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many young offenders received (a) no visitors, (b) one visitor and (c) more than one visitor a month in each young offender institution in each of the last 12 months.

This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Governors and Directors of contracted prisons are required to actively encourage young people in custody to maintain outside contacts and meaningful family ties, which is integral to the children’s’ right to family life as well as their rehabilitation. Visits are also vital in sustaining their relationships with close relatives and friends, where appropriate, while helping to maintain community ties.