To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of assault incidents in each (a) young offender institution and (b) secure training centre in each year since 2010.

The safety and welfare of young people in custody is vital, and we take all assaults in youth custody extremely seriously. The number of assaults in youth custody can be influenced by a range of variables, including the size of the cohort and the complexity of the needs presented by young people in each establishment. These elements can differ considerably over time. Statistics on assaults by secure estate sector are provided in Chapter 8 of the Youth Justice Statistics publication, published annually in January: (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/youth-justice-annual-statistics-2013-to-2014).

We are currently taking forward a comprehensive programme of work to improve behaviour management in the youth secure estate, which includes a new CPS, Police and NOMS protocol to increase prosecutions for violence in adult and youth custody. A specific action plan to address violence in Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) is being taken forward by NOMS.

Overall, the number of assaults in STCs and under-18 YOIs has fallen since 2010. Table 1 shows the number of assaults in Secure Training Centres (STCs) and under-18 YOIs in each calendar year since 2010.

Table 1: Number of assaults in STCs and under-18 YOIs, 2010 to 2014

1. These figures have been drawn from data published in the annual Youth Justice Statistics publication.

2. Assault is defined as the intentional use of unnecessary force that results in physical contact with the victim. It is not necessary for the victim to suffer injury of any kind. Assaults of a sexual nature are included in these figures. YJB figures are compiled using a different set of rules from figures published in the Safety in Custody statistical bulletin and therefore may differ from the latter.

3. The following establishments were decommissioned by the Youth Justice Board YJB: Castington - 21/08/2010, Huntercombe - 31/08/2010, Fosten Hall - 28/01/2011, Stoke Heath - 11/07/2011, Ashfield - 01/07/2013, New Hall - 04/07/2013, Eastwood Park - 22/07/2013, Downview - 19/08/2013, Warren Hill - 10/02/2014

These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and can be subject to change over time. Figures from April 2014 are provisional. The figures from April 2014 onwards will be finalised in the 2014/15 Youth Justice Statistics, which will be published in 2016.