Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2014, to Question 213435, how many former offenders have been allowed to visit (a) young offender institutions and (b) secure training centres in each year since May 2010.

The Government believes reformed offenders can play a positive role in rehabilitating young and adult offenders through mentoring and demonstrating the possibility for change.

Information is not held on the number of ex-offenders visiting the youth secure estate. Governors of Young Offender Institutions, Directors of Secure Training Centres and Managers of Secure Children’s Homes use their discretion to approve any visits to their individual establishments. Consideration will be given to the purpose of the visit, an assessment of the risk that the individual poses, and to wider responsibilities to ensure that young people are safeguarded at all times.