His Majesty's Young Offender Institution

These offenders will have received a custodial sentence following criminal offence convictions or may be being held on remand awaiting trial on pending charges.

Young Offender Institutions were introduced under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, but secure institutions specifically intended for young offenders have existed since the beginning of the 20th century: the first borstal opened at Borstal, Kent in 1902.

Prisoners serving sentences at Young Offender Institutions are expected to participate in at least 25 hours of education per week, aimed at behaviour improvement, practical skill development for post-release and employment preparation.

[2] Violence is frequently reported in Young Offender Institutions and staff have been criticised for failing to prevent it.

[3] At all YOIs during a six-month period there were 306 cases of segregation lasting over a week, which is "very high",[citation needed] with contributory factors including gang involvement, insufficient prison staff and a lack of NHS mental health beds.