Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the announcement Lord chancellor takes immediate action to move children from Rainsbrook published on 16 June 2021, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of permanently closing the Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre site.

Following ongoing concerns relating to staffing, safety and on-site operational grip, we have taken the decision to transfer all children at Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre (STC) to alternative secure accommodation as soon as possible. Work is underway to transfer all children in the coming weeks. We have taken this action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children at Rainsbrook STC, which remains our priority.

In addition to these immediate actions, we are also considering the future of the centre. A further announcement will be made in due course, once ongoing discussions with the provider have concluded. Whilst the long-term ambition of the department is to replace Young Offender Institutions and STCs with secure schools, the decision to transfer children from Rainsbrook has no bearing on future plans for Oakhill STC.