Young offenders in secure unit set to have more rights

Young offenders serving a sentence in Jersey's secure accommodation are set to have greater rights in future.

Politicians unanimously approved a law change allowing young people detained in the island's secure facility, Greenfields, the prospect of early release for good conduct and temporary release to visit family or access work and education.

The justice and home affairs minister previously said the change was aimed at "addressing an identified gap" in the law.

Deputy Mary Le Hegarat told the States the change was "proportionate, fair and necessary" and was "balancing the needs of children and victims". The law change will come into effect on a date set to be published in an official order.

In December, Le Hegarat said some young offenders deliberately behave badly in secure accommodation in order to be transferred to prison where there is the prospect of early release.

She said there was no legislation for children (10-14 years) and young people (15-17 years) serving a sentence in secure accommodation such as Greenfields that entitled them to temporary or early release.

By contrast, those within a young offender institution or La Moye Prison could gain temporary release and early release at the two-thirds point of their sentence, she said.

Speaking on the current situation, she said: "We are, as an island, treating children and young people within our secure children's home more harshly than their peers and even adults serving their sentence within the prison estate.

"This cannot be right."

She added the change going forward would make Jersey more compliant with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Also speaking in the States, the minister with responsibility for children and families Constable Richard Vibert said the amendment was taking a "child-first approach".

He said: "At the heart of this amendment lies a single truth, a child in custody is still a child.

"They do not stop being a child because they have committed an offence, they remain entitled to care, protection, education, family life and the rights set out under the UNCRC."

Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.