No place to house young offenders

THE majority of young offenders are released back on to the streets because there is no space in detention centres.

Figures released by the Court Service show six out of every 10 applications made by judges in 2001 to place juveniles in special units were turned down. The number of refusals has risen by 400% since 2000. The young offenders, many with a long list of convictions, are released back on to the streets, where they commit further offences.

It also emerged yesterday that a secure unit to house trouble teenagers is still not ready, seven months after it was due to open.